April 10, 2016
Hokies split doubleheader with Cardinals
Tech shut out Louisville in game one
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Virginia Tech (21-18) 1001020473
Louisville (25-9) 0000000031
  • Ulmer Stadium
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Virginia Tech (21-19) 0000010152
Louisville (26-9) 020000X230
  • Ulmer Stadium - 202

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Virginia Tech softball team bounced back from a loss in the series opener to shut out Louisville in game two, before falling short by a run in the finale on Sunday afternoon. The Hokies hold a 21-19 overall record, 10-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference play while the Cardinals sit at 26-9, 11-4 in conference.

The Hokies recorded their eighth shutout of the season on seven hits Sunday morning before dropping a 2-1 heartbreaker in game two despite out-hitting the Cardinals 5-3.

Maggie Tyler pitched both games of the doubleheader, improving her record to 16-11 - a career high in single-season wins. The senior tossed 12 strikeouts, giving up one earned run between the twin bill.

Lauren Duff extended her hitting streak to 20 games with a double and single to open the day before going 0-for-2 with a walk in game two. The freshman ranks second in program history with her 20-game hitting streak.

The Hokies struck from the get-go to begin the doubleheader as Breanna Davenport and Olivia Lattin led off with back-to-back singles to left field. Caitlyn Nolan reached first on a Louisville error that allowed Lattin to come home, giving Tech the early 1-0 lead.

Both the Hokies and Cardinals were held scoreless until the fourth inning when Duff extended her streak with a single to fourth. Nolan followed suit then stole second. Vanessa Gonzalez drove in Duff, upping the score to 2-0 before the frame ended.

Tech mirrored the first inning as both Katey Smith and Duff slugged consecutive doubles to the warning track in the fourth. Duff’s double drove in pinch runner, Whitney Saunders before Gonzalez singled to score Duff.

Tyler tossed two more strikeouts in the remaining two innings, finalizing her total at seven in her 16th win of the season.

Duff went 2-for-3 in game one, crossing the plate twice for the Hokies in game one. Gonzalez batted in two of Tech’s four runs while Duff’s double and an error plated the remaining two.

The Hokies led off game two with a walk by Lattin followed by a Katey Smith single. Gonzalez added a single in the second. However, the Hokies could not convert in either inning.

The Cardinals showed their fight in the second game of the day, jumping on the board first in the second inning. Brittany Sims doubled to left-center, scoring Hailey Smith, before she crossed the plate on an error for the final run of the frame.

The Cardinals looked to further their lead in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs. However, Chelsea Whitcomb got the force-out at third to end the frame.

Davenport set the table for the Hokies in the sixth, doubling to right field to lead off the frame. The Cardinals recorded two quick outs before Duff drew a walk. Nolan sent an RBI-double to the warning track, allowing Davenport to score. A final out from the Cardinals left two on base in the inning.

The Hokies would not quit as Caroline Schoenewald doubled in the final inning to put the Tech in scoring position. Duff drew a walk forcing a pitching change for the Cardinals. Kelsey Mericka sent a sacrifice fly to right, advancing the Hokies to second and third However, Louisville recorded the final out as Maryssa Becker picked up the save with Megan Hensley taking the win.

Tech returns to action on Wednesday, taking on Longwood in a doubleheader, before hosting Notre Dame on Saturday and Sunday.

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