April 5, 2016
Tech takes on JMU in midweek doubleheader
The Hokies wrap up their eight game home stand on Wednesday
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BLACKSBURG – After going 5-1 last week, the Virginia Tech softball team closes out its eight-game home stand on Wednesday, facing No. 6 James Madison (30-2) beginning at 5 p.m. The Hokies (19-16) have won 13 of their last 15 games, including two conference sweeps over Pitt and Boston College.

Last time out: Tech powered through three non-conference opponents last week, going 5-1 in the trio of doubleheaders. Senior pitcher Maggie Tyler tossed three of Tech’s wins with 19 strikeouts and a 0.48 ERA to earn the ACC’s Pitcher of the Week honor for the second consecutive week. Freshman Lauren Duff extended her hitting streak to 16 games to tie the second longest streak in program history. Chelsea Whitcomb launched three home runs in the final three games of the weekend, driving in six runners. The Hokies wrap up their eight-game home stand with a doubleheader against James Madison on Wednesday, beginning at 5 p.m.

Two-time ACC Pitcher of the Week: Maggie Tyler was named the ACC's Pitcher of the Week for the second consecutive week, as announced on Monday. Tyler gave up a single run through 18.2 innings in the circle, posting a 0.48 ERA. The senior struck out 19 batters, without issuing a walk against 70 batters faced. Tyler threw two complete games, collecting a shutout on three wins. She now sits one away from her career high of 15 season wins set in both 2014 and 2015. Last week, Tyler threw a pair of complete-game, one-hit shutouts on Friday night and Saturday morning to earn her first honor of the season. Tyler threw 12 and nine strikeouts on Friday and Saturday, respectively, with a single hit in each.

Duff's Dominance: Freshman Lauren Duff extended her hitting streak to 16 games, tying for the second-longest streak in program history. She led the team with 10 hits this weekend, including four doubles and a triple. Duff posted a .941 slugging percentage through last week’s games with a .632 on base percentage. She collected 22 putouts with seven assists, including one runner caught stealing second. The freshman now leads the team with a .422 average, slugging .656.

Tyler's no-no: Maggie Tyler threw her first no-hitter 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.

Four Freshmen: Lauren Duff, Caitlyn Nolan, Olivia Lattin, and Emma Strouth lead the Hokies in batting average, all batting above .300. Duff leads the team with a .422 average while Nolan bats .325.

Hokies Homers: Through this season, 10 Hokies have accounted for 27 home runs. Freshmen Olivia Lattin and Chelsea Whitcomb lead the team with five each. Whitcomb hit one in the last three games along. Kelsey Mericka slugged Tech's long grand slam of the season on March 5 at NC State.

Versus the Dukes: Tech leads the all-time series against James Madison, 10-6, with a 6-2 record at Tech Softball Park. However, the Hokies have not won in Blacksburg since 2012. Tech and JMU faced three times in 2015 with the Hokies taking the first meeting in February and Dukes winning two in April.

Up Next: Tech resumes conference play at Louisville this weekend. The Hokies and Cardinals will play a doubleheader on Saturday at noon followed by a single game on Sunday.

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