BLACKSBURG - After a 5-3 win at Elon on Wednesday, Virginia Tech will hosts rival UVA for the final conference series of the season. The Hokies and Cavaliers will face off on Friday at 7 p.m. for Military Appreciation Day before Senior Day on Saturday beginning at noon (DH).
The Hokies hold a 25-27 overall mark, 10-11 in conference while the Cavaliers travel at 18-30, 7-10 in ACC play.
On Saturday, Tech will honor a group of four-year letterwinners who helped the team to 133 wins and three NCAA Tournaments during their tenure. The seniors are Kelsey Mericka, Kiara Ota, Katey Smith, and Maggie Tyler.
Last at-bat: Led by Breanna Davenport and Vanessa Gonzalez, the Hokies topped the Elon Phoenix on Wednesday. The pair of outfielders each logged two hits, including Davenport's game-winning hit to score Gonzalez in the sixth inning.
Prior to Wednesday's game, the Hokies went 3-3 last week. Tech shut out two its two midweek opponents before dropping a series at No. 7 Florida State. Maggie Tyler tossed 19 strikeouts between on April 19 and April 20 with a 1-0 win over Western Carolina on Tuesday and 4-0 at Radford. In game two of the WCU doubleheader, the Hokies’ bats exploded with nine hits and four home runs: a pair of solo shots by Olivia Lattin, a three-RBI bomb from Emma Strouth, and a two-run walk off by Caroline Schoenewald. Lauren Duff and Strouth also slugged one-run and two-run doubles. At Florida State, Lauren Duff recorded her second career homerun on Saturday while Gonzalez went 2-for-2 on Sunday with an RBI-double.
NCAA Leaders: Maggie Tyler ranks ninth in the country with 222 strikeouts this season. Also, her single game high of 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate ranks her sixth in the nation with numerous other elite pitchers this season. Caitlyn Nolan ranks 13th with eight assists in a single game.
ACC Leaders: Lauren Duff ranks second in the conference in runners caught stealing with 12 while ranking third with 12 doubles this season. Additionally, Maggie Tyler leads in strikeouts this season by 53 with 222. Tyler's single game high of 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate put her in the top spot among ACC pitchers. Freshman Caitlyn Nolan places on two single game lists: second in walks (3) and second in assists (8) both against No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 20. Lauren Duff also drew three walks against Pitt on March 13.
Versus the Cavaliers: The Hokies own the series against the Cavaliers, 32-21 with a 14-8 advantage at home. Tech and UVA split the most recent contests of the two teams in 2015's non-conference matchup. The Hokies won five of the previous six conference meetings in Blacksburg. The series between Tech and UVA dates back to 1998 with the two facing off every season since then.
The series is presented by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics. It is also a potential point in the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash, the point rivalry series between the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Currently the score for the Clash is University of Virginia 11 and Virginia Tech 5. Learn more about Virginia529 and this new competition at thecommonwealthclash.com.
Up Next: The Hokies wrap up the regular season at East Tennessee State on Tuesday before the ACC Tournament May 12-14 in Raleigh, N.C.
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