Hokies topped by Pitt in series finale

Birle makes her first career start in the circle for the Hokies

April 9, 2017

	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (15-24)	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4
Pitt (21-16)	0	2	0	1	5	8	9	0
Vartabedian Field - 275 Box Score

PITTSBURGH - Sending out a reconfigured lineup due to a rash of injuries, the Virginia Tech softball team couldn’t salvage the final game of a three-game series with Pitt as the Panthers topped the Hokies, 8-0, in five innings on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Elizabeth Birle (0-1) threw two innings and faced 12 batters in her first career start for the Hokies (15-24, 5-13 ACC). Junior Caroline Schoenewald went 1-for-2 with Tech’s lone base hit against the Panthers (21-16, 3-11 ACC).

Junior Jessie Mehr made her first appearance at shortstop since her freshman year, Feb. 8, 2015, and junior Whitney Saunders registered her first start since Feb. 28 of last season against Ohio.

Birle blanked the Panthers in the first but later surrendered a two-run home run in the bottom of the second. With the Hokies trailing 2-0, Schoenewald led off the top of the third with a single to center field. An inning ending double play later in the third though would stifle the Tech rally.

Freshman Carrie Eberle relieved Birle in the circle and pitched a scoreless third before the Panther posted a run in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to put the run rule in effect.

The Hokies return to action on Tuesday, April 11, when they take on Longwood at 7 p.m. at Tech Softball Park.

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