BLACKSBURG - After back-to-back sweeps at home, the Virginia Tech softball team (12-14, 7-2) travels to Atlanta, taking on Georgia Tech (12-17, 1-5) this weekend. The Hokies and Yellow Jackets will play at Mewbord Field on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon for a doubleheader. This will be the second of five series aired on ESPN3 for 2016 softball season.
Last time out: The Hokies prevailed through a waterlogged Saturday to close out game two and secure a run-rule victory over Boston College on Sunday, clinching their second ACC sweep in as many weekends. Maggie Tyler led the Hokies to their 4-0 victory over the Eagles on Friday night, tossing her first no-hitter, one walk away from a perfect game. Kelsey Mericka put the Hokies on the board, slugging a 2-RBI homer to highlight Tech’s offense on Friday. In the resumed game on Sunday, Tech secured their second comeback win over the season led by Lauren Duff and Katey Smith who had three RBI each. Both Breanna Davenport and Caitlyn Nolan slugged home runs in the final game, resulting in an 11-3 complete game for Mikaela Aiken.
Tyler's no-no: Maggie Tyler threw her first no-hitter on Friday night against Boston College, a lead off-walk away from a perfect game. The senior faced 22 batters in 7.0 innings, striking out six. Tyler's no-hitter was the first seven-inning no-hitter since May 10, 2008 when current pitching coach, Angela Tincher-O'Brien tossed the 2-0 victory over Florida State. Both Mikaela Aiken and Kelly Heinz hurled five-inning no-hitters in 2015 over Seton Hall and Longwood, respectively. Friday marked Tech's 37 no-hitter in program history.
Five Freshmen: Caitlyn Nolan, Lauren Duff, Olivia Lattin, Emma Strouth, and Chelsea Whitcomb lead the Hokies in batting average, all batting above .299. Nolan and Lattin lead off for the Hokies with .364 and .316 averages, respectively. Duff slugged Tech's first triple of the season on Sunday while Strouth had two hits in each of the games versus Boston College.
Freshmen in the field: Six of Virginia Tech’s seven freshmen were in the starting lineup versus Ohio and Radford due to injuries. Olivia Lattin led off at second with Caitlyn Nolan at short, Lauren Duff catching, Emma Strouth and Kinsey Johnson in the outfield, and Chelsea Whitcomb pitching/at third for the Hokies. Since that point, five remain in the Hokies' starting lineup.
Hokies Homers: Through this season, nine Hokies have accounted for 21 home runs. Olivia Lattin and Kelsey Mericka lead the group with four, highlighted by Mericka's grand slam on March 5 at NC State. Breanna Davenport and Vanessa Gonzalez have three each to highlight the group.
NCAA Leaders: Maggie Tyler’s single game high of 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate ranks her sixth in the nation with 12 other elite pitchers this season. Casey Gerhard shares the top spot in the country with a single game high of 15 putouts. Caitlyn Nolan ranks 11th with eight assists in a single game.
ACC Leaders: Maggie Tyler’s 15 strikeouts at USC-Upstate put her in the top spot among ACC pitcher. Freshman Caitlyn Nolan places on two single game lists: second in walks (3) and second in assists (8) both against No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 20. Lauren Duff also drew three walks against Pitt on March 13.
Versus the Yellow Jackets: The Hokies swept the most recent meeting with the Yellow Jackets in 2014 in Atlanta, but trail the overall series, 18-21. Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech have met in league play since 2005 with VT leading by one game, 15-14.
Up Next: The Hokies will return home to host a series of four doubleheaders, beginning on Wednesday against Liberty at 5 p.m.
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