Tweet

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (29-9)	0	0	4	0	3	0	0	7	12	2
Virginia (11-31)	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	4	4	1
The Park Box Score

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (29-10)	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Virginia (12-31)	0	2	0	0	3	0	X	5	10	2
The Park - 504 Box Score

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Breanna Davenport went 4-for-4 with a home run in the first game
• Kelsey Mericka picked up three hits in the opener
• Kelly Heinz earned a save for the second game in a row

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia Tech and Virginia split a pair of non-conference softball games at The Park Wednesday evening in Charlottesville with the Hokies winning the first game 7-4, but dropping the nightcap, 5-2. Due to the ACC’s scheduling format, the team weren’t scheduled to play in conference this year, so they agreed to play the non-conference doubleheader.

In the opener, the Hokies jumped out to a 7-0 lead thanks to timely hitting and strong pitching. After a rain delay of nearly two hours, Breanna Davenport opened the scoring in the third inning with a two-run home run, her fourth of the season. Kelsey Mericka then drove home two with a double off the wall, just missing a grand slam. In the fifth inning, Katey Smith drove in a run with a single and then two more Tech’s runners scored on an error. The Cavs got back into it with a grand slam in the fifth inning, but could get no closer.

Davenport led the way with four hits while Mericka had three for an offense that pounded out 12 hits. Lauren Gaskill, Smith, Michelle Prong, Vanessa Gonzalez and Jessie Mehr each had one hit.

Maggie Tyler went six innings, allowing four runs on three hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. Kelly Heinz picked up the save by pitching the seventh inning, picking up a strikeout.

In the second game, Tech was unable to solve the twin sister pitching duo of Alex and Andie Fornby as the two twirled a no-hitter despite walking 11. The Hokies left 10 base runners on and failed to convert on several big chances.

It looked liked the Hokies (29-10) would break things open early, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly from Mericka and one more on an error in the first inning, but that would be it. UVa (11-31) plated two in the second inning on a home run and pieced together four hits up the middle in the fifth inning to score three runs and go ahead for good.

Heinz got the start, but was relieved after three innings. She allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts in earning a no decision. Tyler (L, 14-7) went the final four innings, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

The Hokies will have the weekend off before traveling to Lynchburg on Tuesday, April 14 for a doubleheader at Liberty (6 p.m.) and then return home for a single game a day later against No. 11 Tennessee (4 p.m.). All three of those games will be broadcast live on ESPN3.

This series was presented by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics. With the split, both teams have added half a point for their school to the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash. The score for the Clash is now, University of Virginia (9) and Virginia Tech (7). Learn more about Virginia529 and this new competition at www.thecommonwealthclash.com.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Softball