Mericka hits 12th home run in defeatMericka hits 12th home run in defeat
Softball

Mericka hits 12th home run in defeat

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Junior Kelsey Mericka hit her 12th home run of the season, but it wasn’t enough as the 24th-ranked Virginia Tech softball team dropped a pair of games to Notre Dame Sunday at Melissa Cook Stadium. The Irish downed the Hokies 6-1 and 11-1 in five innings to complete the series sweep.

In the opener, Mericka scored the lone run of the game, scoring on a wild pitch after doubling to the gap and moving up on a ground out. She scored the only run of the second game as well, crushing a pitch off the scoreboard in the fourth inning. She continues to chase the school record for home runs in a season, which is 16 by Megan Evans.

In the opener, the Hokies had hits from Mericka, Breanna Davenport and Katey Smith. Maggie Tyler (L, 11-6) took the loss, going 4.2 innings. She allowed six runs on nine hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Kelly Heinz went 1.1 innings, giving up three hits and a walk.

In the second game, Tech got hits from Mericka, Kylie McGoldrick and Michelle Prong in the shortened game. Mikaela Aiken (L, 5-2) went two innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with two strikeouts. Tyler lasted 2/3 of an innings, giving up six runs on five hits with two walks while Heinz pitched the final 1.1 innings as she picked up a strikeout.

Tech (24-9, 3-8 ACC) will step out of conference play with a single game on Wednesday against Elon at 5 p.m. at Tech Softball Park.