No. 19 Hokies Completes Sweep with Early Runs

No. 19 Virginia Tech batted around in the first and plated four more in the second en route to a 9-1 five-inning victory over Liberty, completing a non-conference doubleheader sweep, Wednesday afternoon, at the Tech Softball Park.

With the pair of victories, the Hokies up their record to 36-11 on the season and 11-1 at their on-campus facility.

The loss drops Liberty's record to 9-31-1 on the year and marks the Lady Flames' fifth-straight setback. It also marked the fifth time Liberty has lost a game to a nationally ranked opponent, dropping the Lady Flames' all-time record to 6-26 against the nation's best.

The Hokies wasted little time taking a lead in the second game of the twinbill, plating five runs on four hits during the first inning.

The five-run frame was highlighted by three run-scoring singles. Kelsey Hoffman started the scoring spree with a RBI base hit up the middle, plating Erin Ota.

Misty Hall directly followed with a two-run base hit through a drawn-in infield, scoring Charisse Mariconda and Hoffman. Following a pair of walks issued to Beth Walker and Caroline Stolle, Amber Walker completed the five-run inning with a two RBIs up the middle to give the Hokies a five-run lead, 5-0.

Virginia Tech added four more runs in the following inning, thanks to a pair of extra base hits. Mariconda doubled to the gap in right center, scoring Ota, who reached on a lead-off single.
Hoffman followed by drawing a walk, while two batters later, Beth Walker clocked her first home run of the season, connecting on a three-run shot over the fence in center field to push the Hokies' lead to nine runs, 9-0.

Liberty finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning by the same way the squad scored in the opening game with a home run. Following a line out by Keely McMillon to open the frame, Shannon McKain tied Ashley Williams for the team lead in round trippers, sending a 1-1 pitch out of the ball park in left center for her sixth homer of the year.

However, the remainder of the game belonged to Heather Lowry, as the sophomore upped her record to 7-2 with her third complete-game victory of the year. The righty scattered three hits and allowed the lone run in the fourth, while walking four and striking out two batters.

Sarah Ellis suffered the loss to fall to 3-16 on the season, as the junior was roughed up for nine runs on seven hits, while issuing four walks and striking out a batter over the first two innings.
Freshman Jenna Eatmon finished off the final two innings, allowing a hit and a walk, while fanning two batters during her first collegiate pitching performance.

Ota and Beth Walker led the Hokies from the plate, each having multiple-hit games. Ota was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Walker was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
McKain recorded one of Liberty's three hits during the nightcap, going 1-for-2 to lead Liberty from the plate.

The Lady Flames will return to the New River Valley on Saturday for the first of three games against arch-rival Radford. Liberty and Radford will play two games on Saturday at Radford, while the series finale will be held in Lynchburg on Sunday.

First pitch of the doubleheader on Saturday is slated for 4 p.m., and both games can be seen on the Big South EDGE, the conference's live video streaming utility.

Schedule

No. 19 Hokies Completes Sweep with Early Runs

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Team Stats

Cassie Hendrix

Shannon McKain

Elena Lampman

Amber DePasquale