The Virginia Tech Hokies were riding high this week, heading into the Queen City Classic. Tech upset South Carolina twice on opening weekend, winning all five games at the Gamecock Invitational to open the season 5-0. The early start helped the Hokies move up to No. 14 in the country ahead of their arrival in Charlotte.
On Friday, Virginia Tech defeated Villanova 7-3 to improve to 6-0. Nora Abromavage and Zoe Yaeger each homered for the Hokies, while Emma Mazzarone pitched four innings of no-hit ball,
striking out eight and walking only one to earn her second win of the season.
In Friday’s second game, the Lady Hokies fell to Michigan State 7-6. Tech jumped on the Spartans early, as Jordan Lynch and Abromavage each had run-scoring hits, while Rachel Castine’s home run gave them an early 3-0 lead.
However, Michigan State went off for six runs in the bottom of the second to take a 6-3 lead. Tech would add two runs in the fourth inning to make it a 6-5 game, but the Spartans responded with another run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kylie Aldridge delivered an RBI single in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough. Sophie Kleiman got the start for VT, allowing six runs, three of which were earned, in 1+ innings of action. Bree Carrico did an outstanding job in relief again, pitching five innings and allowing only one run, five hits, while striking out six batters. Virginia Tech lost despite outhitting the Spartans 12-7.
On Saturday, the Hokies defeated Villanova again, this time 11-3. Carrico got the start and went the distance, allowing four hits and only one earned run, while striking out six batters. Carrico improved to 2-0 on the season.
Lynch, Michelle Chatfield and Gaby Mizelle each had two hits for Virginia Tech. Mizelle drove in three, while Abromavage, Mazzarone and Yaeger each drove two home. Mizelle and Yaeger each hit home runs.
In the final game of the Queen City Classic, Charlotte defeated VT 4-2. Tech managed only four hits, with Chatfield leading the way with two. Abromavage drove in both runs. Mazzarone pitched the entire game, allowing six hits, five walks, four runs (three earned) and struck out 10.
Virginia Tech’s last game against Michigan State was canceled. Now 7-2, the Hokies head to Georgia for the Georgia Classic, with two games against Seton Hall and Georgia, and one game against Utah State.
