March 31, 2012
Hokies sweep Terps on the diamond
Harrell picks up both wins on the day
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Virginia Tech (25-12) 0500000551
Maryland (18-11) 0000000021
  • Taylor Stadium
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Virginia Tech (26-12) 0020320761
Maryland (18-13) 0020300582
  • Taylor Stadium - 482

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Behind timely hitting and great pitching, the Virginia Tech softball team picked up two nice wins over the University of Maryland Saturday at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Hokies won the first contest 5-0 before pulling out a wild one, 7-5, in the nightcap.

In the first game, a big five-run second inning would be all Tech pitcher Jasmin Harrell would need in taking the victory. In that inning, Kristen Froehlich walked and was pinch run for by Nina Compton, who eventually scored on Kylie McGoldrick’s single and then both Kat Banks and Lauren Gaskill scored on Courtney Liddle’s single to center field. On the play, the Maryland center fielder committed an error to allow McGoldrick to score. Kelsey Mericka drove in the final run of the inning with a single to center.

Harrell allowed just two hits and at one point retired 19-straight Terp batters in the dominating performance. She struck out two and walked none.

At the plate, Liddle had three hits to lead the way while McGoldrick and Mericka each had one hit. Tech drew eight walks at the plate, but struck out 10 times.

In the second game, Tech took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Kat Banks doubled and scored on McGoldrick’s monster home run off the scoreboard, but the Terps tied it up with two runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning. In the fifth inning, Banks singled and then Bkaye Smith reached on an error. Banks eventually scored on Gaskill’s single and then Mericka drove Smith and McGoldrick in with a two-out, two-strike single to left field to make it 5-2. But once again, Maryland battled back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to tie the game back up.

Tech took the lead one more time in the sixth inning, and this time, made it stick. Froehlich led off with a walk and beat the throw to second base on Betty Rose’s sacrifice bunt attempt. With two outs in the inning, Gaskill ripped a double to the gap to plate both runners and give Tech the 7-5 lead.

Bailey Liddle got the start and went 4.1 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits with a strikeout. Harrell (W, 16-8) won her second game of the day, this time in relief. She went 2.2 innings, allowing no runs on a hit with two walks and a strikeout.

At the plate, the Hokies had six hits, led by two apiece from Banks and Gaskill. Also picking up a hit were Gaskill and Mericka.

Tech (26-12, 5-2 ACC) has already wrapped up the series win, but will go for the series sweep Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Terps (18-13, 0-2 ACC).

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Softball).

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