L, 4-14 :: Box Score :: ACC Softball Championship
The Hokies struck quickly and with force in the first inning, scoring four runs. Jenna Rhodes and Charisse Mariconda both drew walks and then Jessica Everhart reached on an error to load up the bases. Walker, the senior from Galax, Va., obliterated the first pitch she saw to straight-away center for her sixth home run of the season and second grand slam of the year.
But the Yellow Jackets showed why they are the best-hitting team in the conference and exploded for eight runs in the fourth inning. Georgia Tech was stymied by Virginia Tech starter Kenzie Roark (L, 22-18) for three innings, but sent 13 batters to the plate in the fourth inning to storm back for the lead. In the inning, the Yellow Jackets used several hard knocks to chase Roark and send their dugout into a hullabaloo.
In the seventh inning, Jen Yee doubled in three runs with a laser off the wall to make it 11-4 and then ACC Freshman of the Year Kelsi Weseman launched a three-run home run later in the stanza. The Hokies couldn’t recover and now must sit and wait to see if their season will continue.
Walker had three hits (single, double and home run) and went 5-for-6 in the two games with five RBI. Those would be just about it for the Hokies. Jenna Rhodes picked up a hit in her final at bat to extend her hitting streak to 15 games.
Roark lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits with a walk and a strikeout. Abbie Rexrode pitched 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts. The 14 runs from Georgia Tech were a new ACC Tournament record.
The Hokies (28-28) must now await word on whether they are selected to the 2009 NCAA Softball Championship. That word will come down Sunday night at approximately 10 p.m., on ESPNU. Second-seeded Florida State and the Yellow Jackets will meet in Sunday’s championship game.