BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech softball squad is set to open ACC play as the Hokies battle ACC foe North Carolina in a three-game series at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill. The series was pushed back a day to Sunday and Monday due to weather concerns and field conditions.
The series is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday with a doubleheader and Monday’s game will begin at 3:30 p.m., but that could change based on weather and field conditions. Admission is free. Live stats for all three games can be found here.
The Tar Heels (9-4) are coming off of a strong performance in the Eagle Classic hosted by Georgia Southern where they won all four games. The Hokies recently played in the Pirate Invitations where they beat Seton Hall and East Carolina twice.
UNC is led offensively by Aquilla Mateen, who is batting .452 with a team-high 19 hits on the year, and Jenna Kelly, who has two home runs and 14 RBIs while batting .414. Kendra Lynch and Kaylee Carlson have shared a majority of the duties in the circle. Lynch is 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 29.0 innings while Carlson is 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.
Tech’s offense is led by senior Kylie McGoldrick, leads the team with a .410 average and 18 RBIs. Not far behind her is freshman Breanna Davenport, who is batting .396 with six doubles and 13 RBIs. The Hokies have hit 20 home runs on the young season, led by junior Kelsey Mericka with eight. Juniors Maggie Tyler (6-1) and Kelly Heinz (4-0) have shared time in the circle with freshman Mikaela Aiken (3-0). Aiken has a 1.48 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23.2 innings while Tyler has a 2.03 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. Heinz has struck out 20 in 28.0 innings as the staff has a 1.96 ERA and holding opponents to a .191 batting average.
The ACC preseason coaches poll predicted Tech to finish fourth and UNC to finish sixth.
Virginia Tech is 14-22 all-time against UNC and just 5-9 against the Heels in Chapel Hill. UNC won two of the three games played last year in Blacksburg and have won the series with the Hokies each of the past seven seasons.
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