April 22, 2012
Tech rallies to beat Virginia in series finale
Back-to-back home runs cap big fourth inning
1234567RHE
Virginia (21-23) 00030003100
Virginia Tech (34-16) 000400X482
  • Tech Softball Park - 368

BLACKSBURG - On a chilly and drizzly day, the Virginia Tech softball team rallied for a big 4-3 win over the University of Virginia Sunday afternoon at Tech Softball Park to win the series 2-1. The two teams split a doubleheader on Saturday.

After a scoreless first three innings, the Cavs finally pushed across a run off a single by Marcy Bowdren. UVa would score two more unearned runs after Kelsey Mericka's error prolonged the inning.

Down 3-0, the Hokies didn't give up, scoring three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning. Courtney Liddle singled and did the slow trot home as Mericka blasted a two-run home run. Betty Rose tied it up with a solo home run. Spaw doubled to the gap and was replaced by pinch runner Laura Wolff. Marra Hvozdovic laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third base before Kat Banks lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to give Tech the lead.

Jasmin Harrell (W, 23-11) went the distance for the win. She gave up 10 hits, but shut down the Cavs when it mattered the most, allowing three runs (one earned) with no walks and eight strikeouts.

After struggling against UVa ace Melanie Mitchell on Saturday, the Hokies finally got it rolling against the junior on Sunday, picking up eight hits. Rose and Spaw led the way for the Hokies with two hits each. Kylie McGoldrick, Bkaye Smith, Liddle, Mericka also had one hit apiece. After striking out a combined 15 times in yesterday's doubleheader, Tech struck out just four times against Mitchell (L, 15-12) on Sunday.

The win also clinched a winning record for the Hokies in conference play as they have just three game left on the docket.

Tech (34-16, 11-6 ACC) will return to action Tuesday with a single game against Radford on the road at Dedmon Center Field. The action begins at 7 p.m. The Hokies will wrap up ACC play next weekend with a three-game series at Georgia Tech. GT will enter the weekend with a 10-7 mark in the league, so it will likely be a battle for the No. 3 seed at the upcoming ACC Championship.

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

HokieSports Shop