BLACKSBURG – Jessica Everhart doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Virginia Tech softball team a 6-5, come-from-behind win over Maryland in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Terrapins won the first game 5-4 and the teams will play the pivotal third game Sunday to decide the series winner.

In the second game, Tech jumped out to 3-1 lead when Beth Walker hit a bases-clearing, three-run double to right field. In the fourth inning, Whitney Davis scored on a passed ball to make it 4-1, but the Terps slowly chipped away and finally took the lead with a four-run fifth inning.

Trailing 5-4 heading to the bottom of the last inning, Erin Ota reached on an infield single and Charisse Mariconda walked. Everhart stepped up and ripped a shot to deep center and over the head of Niki Lau. Ota scored easily from second and the speedy Mariconda chugged around from first and scored just underneath the tag to send the Tech bench spilling onto the field.

Everhart led the way with two hits and two RBI while Ota had two hits. Walker had a hit and three RBI while Jenna Rhodes, Mariconda and Kristin Graham each had a hit.

Abbie Rexrode pitched well in earning a no decision. She went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with two walks and a strikeout. Kenzie Roark (W, 18-16) went the final 1.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.

In the first game, the Hokies let a 4-0 lead slip away in the final two innings and the Terps escaped with a 5-4 win. Rhodes scored on a double by Mariconda in the third inning and in the fourth, Kristen Froehlich drove in two runs with a double to the gap. She eventually scored on an error.

Roark appeared to be in control, but the wheels fell off in the final two innings as Maryland scored three in the sixth and two more in the seventh inning. She went the distance, allowing five runs (three earned) on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Rhodes led the way with three hits and a school-record four stolen bases. Mariconda had two hits while Froehlich had a hit and two RBI. Everhart and Walker each had a hit.

Tech and Maryland (both 8-9 in the ACC) will play a huge single game on Sunday at 1 o’clock. Tech’s six seniors will be recognized before the first pitch.