May 1, 2012
Hokies sweep Flames to wrap up regular season
Harrell's perfect game highlights day's action
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Virginia Tech (37-18) 1224X970
  • Tech Softball Park
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Liberty (18-33) 0210000360
Virginia Tech (38-18) 1000021470
  • Tech Softball Park - 416

BLACKSBURG - Highlighted by a perfect game from Jasmin Harrell in the first game, the Virginia Tech softball team won a pair of games with Liberty Tuesday afternoon at Tech Softball Park, winning 9-0 in five innings before rallying for a 4-3 win in the second game.

The Hokies wasted little in in blowing open the first game, scoring five runs over the first three innings. In the first inning, Lauren Gaskill scored on Courtney Liddle's single and then both Marra Hvozdovic and Kat Banks scored on Bkaye Smith's single up the middle. In the third inning, Gaskill scored on Kylie McGoldrick's double and she eventually scored on Kelsey Mericka's sacrifice fly.

Tech continued to pour it on in the fourth inning, scoring four more runs. Banks tripled and Tech eventually loaded the bases on a walk and an infield single before Gaskill crushed an offering to center field for a grand slam, making it 9-0.

Harrell (W, 26-13) tossed the sixth perfect game in school history and 30th solo no-hitter in shutting down the Flames. She struck out eight in the five-inning contest. It was her first career no-hitter and perfect game.

At the plate, Tech had seven hits, two apiece from Smith and Banks and one apiece from McGoldrick, Liddle and Gaskill.

In the second game, Tech started strong again, scoring a run on Liddle's double down the line. But the Flames battled back, scoring two runs in the second inning to take their first lead of the day. They added another run in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead.

After trailing for over four innings, Tech rallied to tie it up in the sixth inning. Liddle walked and then Mericka went opposite field for a two-run home run to tie it up. In the bottom of the seventh inning, pinch hitter Kristen Froehlich led off with single and was pinch run for by Laura Wolff. She moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Smith and came home to score the winning run on a single by McGoldrick.

Bailey Liddle lasted into the third before being pulled after giving up a leadoff triple. She went 2.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Harrell (W,27-13) shut down the Flames the rest of the way over the final five innings, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts.

At the plate, the Hokies picked up seven hits against Grace Nordan, two from Gaskill and one apiece from Courtney Liddle, Mericka, Froehlich, McGoldrick and Smith.

With the regular season now complete, the Hokies (38-18) will now have some time off for exams before heading to Chapel Hill, N.C., next week for the ACC Championship May 10-12. While they don't know what seed or who their opponent will be, they do know they will play in the 4/5 game at 7:30 p.m. on the opening night. Tech will either play Maryland or Georgia Tech, depending on what happens this weekend in other ACC action.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Softball).

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