The Hokies put their 11 game winning streak on the line this weekend as they host the Louisville Cardinals (21-10, 3-3) at Tech Softball Park. Scheduled games times are Friday at 6:00, Saturday at 2:00, and Sunday at 1:00.

Louisville played a conference series with Notre Dame last weekend, losing 2 out of 3, both by 9-1 margins. Previously in conference play, they won 2 out of 3 games against Syracuse. Other than the single game win versus the Irish, Louisville’s best win this season has been again Michigan in the ACC/Big10 Challenge and against Missouri. Against other Top 50 RPI teams, they have lost 3 games to Northwestern (2 in the ACC/Big10 Challenge) and single games to Tennessee, Auburn, and Michigan.

The Cardinals are coached by Holly Aprile, who took over the program in July following the retirement of Sandy Pearsall. Pearsall started the Louisville program in 2000, but retired after a 33-20 record last year (8-10 in the ACC). Aprile spent the previous 10 years as the Pittsburgh head coach, winning ACC Coach of the year last season.

Statistically, the Cardinals pitching staff is similar to the Hokies’ staff (ERA 2.21 vs. VTs 2.07 and both averaging a strikeout per inning). Senior Megan Hensley, an All ACC selection last year, leads Louisville in the circle with a 9-1 record and 2.19 ERA. Sophomore Danielle Watson is usually the #2 starter and has a 6-8 record with a 2.57 ERA. The one pitching advantage the Cardinals may have is that they do have a 3rd arm – Redshirt Freshman Taylor Roby, who has pitched 47.2 innings and has a 6-1 record with a 1.76 ERA. However, most of her appearances have come against lesser opponents or in a mop-up role.

The Hokies appear to have an advantage at the plate (batting average of .353 vs. .291 and 7.59 runs/game versus 5.45). Tech also comes into this game with smoking bats – they have scored 88 runs in their last 9 games. The Cardinals are led in hitting by Freshman Rebecca Chung (.375 average, 22 RBIs) and Junior Celene Funk (bats leadoff with a .352 average, 27 runs scored, and 12/15 in stolen bases). Funke leads the ACC in triples with 8.

Both Roby and Hensley hit as well as pitch, with .351 and .315 batting averages respectfully. Senior Sidney Melton usually bats second and has a .310 average. She recently set a school record with 4 steals in a game and has stolen 16 bases in 17 attempts.

While on the subject of stolen bases, the Cardinals do run a bit more than VT - they are 60/70 in stolen bases versus the Hokies 44/51. However, the Cardinals have hit only 15 home runs for the year compared to 56 for VT, so the Hokies would seem to be favored in the long ball area.

Speaking of the long ball, the Hokies are continuing to blast the ball all over the place. They are second in the ACC in batting average at .358 and are now tied with Florida State in homeruns with 56. They have four regulars hitting .400 or better (5 counting Grace Chavez) and 5 more hitting .284 or better. There is truly no easy out in their lineup as shown by this list:

Darby Trull .460 average, 40 hits, 26 RBIs
Emma Strouth .408 average, 42 hits, 42 RBIs
Kelsey Bennett .400 average, 9 HRs
Jayme Bailey .400 average
Al Velazquez .376 average, 38 hits
Mackenzie Lawter .306 average (included because of her 22 starts)
Lauren Duff .298 average (included because of her 15 starts)
Maddi Banks .296 average, 10-10 stolen bases
Caitlyn Nolan .284 average, 10 HRs, 32 RBIs

In addition, Grace Chavez has moved into a starting role recently and is hitting .469 with 5 Home Runs. .

The Hokies’ pitching continues an awesome year, now ranking 2nd in the ACC with a 2.07 Team ERA, and they continue to lead the conference in shutouts with 13, thanks to the 1-2 punch of Carrie and Keely.

Carrie Eberle 17-1, 1.59 ERA, 85Ks in 114.1 innings, only 4 HRs given up
Keely Rochard 11-3, 2.06 ERA, 118Ks in 81.2 innings

A complete team comparison is at the end of my post.

This is a big series for the Hokies. Louisville has a current RPI of 51, so these will be quality wins if we can get them. Also, Florida State playing at Virginia this weekend, so the Hokies will probably need a sweep to stay in first place. The way they are playing, I certainly wouldn’t bet against these ladies.

It looks like a nice weekend weather-wise, so if you’re not going to DC, get to TSP and support these ladies.

Let’s Go Hokies!



[Post edited by VTChip at 03/28/2019 10:32AM]