Tweet

Links: Live Stats // Audio // Game Notes

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech softball team opens Atlantic Coast Conference play at home this weekend, serving host to Pittsburgh (16-5) in a noon doubleheader on Saturday before closing out the series with a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m.

Last time out: The Hokies (6-14) return to Blacksburg after dropping a pair of games at College of Charleston on Wednesday afternoon. Tech opened conference play last weekend, going 1-2 at NC State. In Saturday’s win, Chelsea Whitcomb hit a 3-RBI home run just before Kelsey Mericka slugged a grand slam to give the Hokies their first comeback win of the season. Additionally, freshmen Caitlyn Nolan and Olivia Lattin added one and two home runs, respectively, to Tech’s total for the week.

Hokies Homers: Through this season, eight Hokies have accounted for 15 home runs. Olivia Lattin leads the group with four while Vanessa Gonzalez has three. Kelsey Mericka hit the Hokies’ first grand slam of the season on March 5 at NC State.

ACC Leaders: Tech showed promise despite the early losses, with three Hokies on the ACC’s single-game highs list. Maggie Tyler’s 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate put her in the top spot among ACC pitcher. Freshman Caitlyn Nolan places on two single game lists: first in walks (3) and second in 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.

NCAA Leaders: Maggie Tyler’s single game high of 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate ranks her fourth in the nation with eight other elite pitchers this season. Casey Gerhard shares the top spot in the country with a single game high of 15 putouts.

Versus the Panthers: The Hokies lead the series against the Panthers, 14-4 with a perfect home record of 6-0. Tech won five straight meetings before dropping the most recent on April 19, 2015 in a 6-5 decision at Pitt. This will be the third year the teams meet as ACC foes. However, the series dates back to 1999 when the squads first met in Atlanta at the Georgia State Tournament.

Up Next: Tech continues its six-game home stretch next weekend against Boston College. The Hokies and Eagles will play a doubleheader on March 19 and one game on March 20.

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