Tech takes series opener from Duke, 3-1

Clark and Schoenewald register RBI doubles for the Hokies

April 20, 2018

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Duke (24-23)	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	2
Virginia Tech (20-25)	0	0	0	0	3	0	X	3	3	1
Tech Softball Park - 291 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG - Sophomore Carrie Eberle continued her dominance in the circle as she allowed no earned runs in a complete game effort in Virginia Tech’s 3-1 win in the series opener over Duke on Friday night at Tech Softball Park.

Sophomore Taylor Clark and senior Caroline Schoenewald provided the big hits for the Hokies (20-25, 6-12 ACC) with two RBI doubles in the bottom of the fifth. Eberle has allowed only two earned runs in her last 21.0 innings pitched against ACC competition. Tech has now won four ACC games in a row with the win over the Blue Devils (24-23, 8-11 ACC).

With the Hokies trialing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, freshman Cana Davis got things going with her third double of the season. She tried going to third on a chopper to the left side that was fielded by the shortstop but the ball was bobbled while applying the tag, making both Davis safe at third and Caitlyn Nolan safe at first on the fielder’s choice.

Junior Kinsey Johnson came in as a pinch runner for Nolan at first and she stole second on the first pitch delivered with Clark at the plate. Clark then drove the next pitch to the right center field gap that cleared the bases and put Tech ahead 2-1. Schoenewald followed and scored Clark on her 10th double of the season that was sent down the right field line, making it 3-1.

After the lead off runner for Duke reached on a single in the top of the sixth, second baseman Olivia Lattin fielded a grounder, stepped on second for the first out and tossed to Jessie Mehr at first base for the double play. It was the last base runner allowed by Eberle in the game as she retired the side in order in the seventh that sealed her 18th complete game of the season.

Tech and Duke will play the second game of a three-game series tomorrow at noon at Tech Softball Park. An audio stream will be available on HokieSports.com. The 2008 Women’s College World Series team will be honored before the game as part of the team’s 10-year celebration. The first 150 fans will receive a pennant that features the 2008 team and postgame autographs with the current Hokies and members of 2008 team will take place behind the home plate press box following the game.

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