Tech Softball set to host Radford in home opener

March 1, 2016

The Hokies will face the Highlanders on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech softball team opens its 2016 home schedule with local rival Radford on Wednesday, March 2 at 5 p.m. at Tech Softball Park.

The Hokies (4-10) host their 20th home opener on Wednesday against Radford (6-3). Tech is 13-6 in home openers, winning last season’s over Syracuse 10-2 in five innings.

Wednesday’s game is Nike Gear Up Day. There will also be a Gobble Student Rewards Giveaway. The first 100 students will receive free pizza and tickets to the Virginia Tech men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. against Pitt.

Led by Spartan Classic All-Tournament team members Olivia Lattin and Maggie Tyler, the Tech softball team went 3-2 over the weekend in South Carolina with two shutout victories. The Hokies clinched an 8-0 rout of Morehead State off of Lattin’s 3-RBI homer and a complete-game one-hitter by Chelsea Whitcomb on Friday. Tyler threw Tech’s second shutout of the weekend, tossing 15 strikeouts - a total that leads the ACC this season.

Due to injury, six of Virginia Tech’s seven freshmen were in the starting lineup versus Ohio. Lattin led off in second with Caitlyn Nolan at shortstop, Lauren Duff catching, Emma Strouth and Kinsey Johnson in the outfield, and Whitcomb pitching for the Hokies.

Tech opened the season competing in back-to-back tournaments in the Sunshine State. Tech began the 2016 season with a 6-3 win over USF in the first game of the five-team tournament. Since then, the Hokies have faced six top-25 teams, four of which competed in the WCWS in 2015.

Through this season, six Hokies have accounted for nine homeruns. Vanessa Gonzalez leads the group with three thus far while Breanna Davenport has two. Lattin slugged her first career homerun at the Spartan Classic.

Tech showed promise despite the early losses, with three Hokies on the ACC’s single-game highs list. Tyler’s 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate put her in the top spot among ACC pitcher. Freshman Nolan places on two single game lists: walks (3) and assists (8) both against No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 20. Fellow new comer Casey Gerhard ties the top spot with 15 putouts at USC-Upstate.

Versus the Highlanders: The Hokies hold a 37-10 advantage over the Highlanders. Tech has won the last 10 consecutive games, most recently an 8-0 win in 2015. The most recent win for the Highlanders was in 2010 when Radford clinched a 9-3 decision.

Up Next: Tech travels to Raleigh, North Carolina for their first ACC games of 2016. The Hokies and Wolfpack will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday at noon followed by a single game on Sunday at noon.

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