Hokies sweep Liberty on Senior Night
Two strong pitching performances lead the way
April 28, 2010
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Liberty (33-13) 2002000452
Virginia Tech (21-31) 005402X11111
  • Tech Softball Park
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Liberty (33-14) 0000000040
Virginia Tech (22-31) 000100X140
  • Tech Softball Park - 248

BLACKSBURG - On the strength of two superb outings in the circle, the Virginia Tech softball team swept Liberty University on Senior Night at Tech Softball Park. The Hokies cruised to an 11-4 win in the first game before gutting out a 1-0 win in the night cap.

The first game started off rough for started Kenzie Roark as she gave up two runs on four hits in the opening stanza. But she settled down after that, allowing just one hit the rest of the way. The junior allowed four runs (two earned), struck out a career-high 12 batters and walked just one to pick up her eighth win of the season.

Trailing 2-0 in the third inning, the Hokies busted it open with five runs. Kristen Froehlich doubled in a run and then, with the bases loaded, senior Whitney Davis was hit by a pitch before Kristina Cruz drove in two with a single. Liberty cut the lead back to one with two runs in the fourth, but the Hokies put up a four spot in the fourth inning.

Senior Amber Walker drove in a run with a single to left field and then, with the bases loaded again, Davis cleared the bags with a three-RBI double to the fence to make it 9-4. Tech tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. Marra Hvozdovic drove in a run with a groundout and then Davis drove in her fifth run of the game with a single.

Tech’s three seniors each made a contribution in the game. Davis picked up two hits and a career-high five RBI while Walker picked up a hit and an RBI. Misty Hall had a hit and scored a run in the win. Senior manager Kevin Price, who was also honored before the game, rounded out those who were honored and he responded with another brilliant night of filming.

Richelle McGarva, Kristin Graham and Froehlich each had two hits while Cruz had one in the first game.

The second game wasn’t as high scoring as the first one as the two teams were scoreless through three innings. But that was before Courtney Liddle teed off on a Katrina Johnson offering and deposited it over the center field fence for her 10th home run of the season. That would be all the Hokies would score, but it would be enough to escape with the win.

Liddle had a pair of hits to lead the way at the plate. Froehlich had a double in the game, her third of the day, while Davis also had a double.

Jasmin Harrell pitched a gem of a game in running her record to 10-10 on the year. She allowed just four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.

The Hokies will ship up to Boston this weekend for a three-game series at Boston College this weekend. The two teams will play Saturday at 1 p.m., and will wrap up things on Sunday with a noon game.