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	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (1-6)	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	4
(2) Michigan (6-1)	2	0	4	0	0	0	X	6	7	0
Tallahassee, Fla. - 1,283 Box Score

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (1-7)	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	2	1
(20) Minnesota (5-2)	0	1	0	6	1	1	X	9	10	3
Tallahassee, Fla. Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - On the second of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Virginia Tech softball team dropped a pair of games to two top-25 opponents, No. 2 Michigan and No. 18 Minnesota, on Saturday afternoon at JoAnne Graf Field.

Late in each matchup, Tech got on the board but it was not enough to earn a win. The Hokies fall to 1-7 while the Wolverines and Golden Gophers improve to 6-1 and 5-2, respectively.

In the top of the seventh against No. 2 Michigan, Breanna Davenport drew a leadoff walk, setting Tech up to put a run on the board. As Katey Smith stepped up to the plate, Davenport had advanced to third with Olivia Lattin on second. Smith launched a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Davenport to cross the plate.

However, the Hokies’ run could not over come the second-ranked Wolverines who had a six-run advantage by the third inning.

Throughout the first game, Tech left 11 runners on base, including a bases loaded situation in the third and two runners in scoring position in the fourth after Caroline Schoenewald’s lone hit.

The Hokies drew nine walks against Michigan’s pitching staff, including three by Nolan. But the Wolverine’s Megan Besta came away with the win while Chelsea Whitcomb took the loss.

Tech quickly returned to the field, taking on No. 18 Minnesota for the second time this weekend.

The Hokies showed promise from the start of the game against the Golden Gophers as Lattin singled up the middle. However, Tech could not get on the board until the fifth when three runners made it home.

Jessie Mehr led off the fifth inning with single to the middle. Lauren Duff drew a walk and Caitlyn Nolan advanced on a Minnesota error. With the bases loaded, Mehr scored on a pass ball followed by two RBI off of Schoenewald and Breanna Davenport to bring home pinch runner Beosha Gregory and shortstop Nolan.

Despite Kelsey Mericka’s quick hands preventing a Golden Gophers’ run in the third, Minnesota bounced back in the fourth inning to bring six runners home.

Tech’s rally in the fifth was not enough to come back against 18th-ranked Minnesota who tacked on two more runs by the end of the sixth to secure the 9-3 decision.

Mikaela Aiken collected the loss with appearances by Whitcomb and Maggie Tyler, while Minnesota’s Sara Groenewegen earned the win and Kylie Stober the save.

The Hokies wrap up the ACC/Big Ten Challenge tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. to face No. 2 Michigan for the third time in eight days.

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