Hokies continue homestand with three-game series against North Carolina

Tech last played the Tar Heels on May 7, 2015 in the ACC Tournament

March 16, 2017

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech softball team continues its eight-game homestand this weekend as the Hokies (10-11, 2-4 ACC) welcome RV North Carolina (22-5, 3-0 ACC) to Tech Softball park for a three-game series from March 17-19.

Friday’s game has a first pitch time of 3 p.m. while both Saturday and Sunday’s games will start at 1 p.m. The series opener and the second game of the series will be streamed on WatchESPN via ACC Network Extra. Bailey Angle and Nolan Knight will be on the call.

Tech has dropped their last five games; two walk-off losses on the road to Coastal Carolina and South Carolina and three defeats at the hands of No. 1 Florida State last weekend. Despite the recent struggles, the Hokies’ offense continues to surge as they rank in the top five in the ACC in batting average (fifth, .291), slugging percentage (third, .507) and on-base percentage (fourth, .362).

The Tar Heels have won five in a row. UNC last faced the Hokies in the ACC Tournament on May 7, 2015 in Blacksburg, a narrow 3-2 loss for the host Hokies. Tech’s last win over UNC was a 4-3 victory that came in the second game of a doubleheader on March 1, 2014 at Tech Softball Park.

DAVENPORT’S DAY AGAINST FSU

• Junior Breanna Davenport set a new career-high with two home runs in the second game of a doubleheader against No. 1 Florida State.
• Davenport’s first dinger came on a 2-2 pitch in the bottom of the second and it got the Hokies on the board.
• Her second round tripper came in her very next at-bat on the first pitch she saw of the Seminoles’ Jessica Burroughs, the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year.

HOKIES TURN A TRIPLE PLAY

• In its first game against No. 1 Florida State, the Hokies turned the first triple play in program history.
• With runners on first and third, shortstop Caitlyn Nolan tossed the ball to freshman Dani Hugney at second for the force out on a fielder’s choice. After the ball was thrown back to the pitcher, the runner on first broke for second, was thrown out, and the runner going home was tagged out by catcher Lauren Duff to complete the triple play.
• In all, five players were involved on the play.
• It was the first triple play in program history and the first triple play in any game involving the Hokies.

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