Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech softball team continued its winning ways this past weekend at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge where the Hokies went 4-0 and won its sixth consecutive game, improving to 6-2 on the season.
Thus far, Tech has flipped the script from the last season. Seven newcomers, including six freshmen, have seen consistent playing time and have helped rejuvenate the club while seniors Jessie Mehr and Caroline Schoenewald are both on pace to have breakout final seasons. In the circle, Carrie Eberle has carried the late season momentum from her freshman campaign into this season, creating a formidable one-two punch with freshman Jordan Dail.
But an early season test awaits this weekend at the Texas Invitational where the Hokies will face Wichita State, Texas, No. 21 Ohio State and No. 20 Michigan – Tech will face the latter team twice. The Hokies are hungry to go up against strong competition in an effort to get themselves prepared for the rigors of the ACC. Before the Hokies head to Austin, let’s take one more look back at the team’s play this past weekend in Durham.
1. Eberle dominates in the circle
Carrie Eberle tossed two complete game shutouts and allowed only four hits over 14 innings of work to go 2-0 this past weekend. She struck out eight batters, tying her career high, and surrendered only one base hit against Purdue while also fielding four groundouts herself. She’s the first Virginia Tech pitcher since Maggie Tyler in 2016 to throw back-to-back complete game shutouts. For her efforts, College Sports Madness named her ACC Softball Player of the Week.
2. Hokies are capitalizing with two outs
The inability to get the big hit with two outs plagued Virginia Tech at many points last season. This season, the Hokies have driven in twice as many runs as their opponents with two outs, 14-7. Eight of those 14 two-out RBI came this past weekend, thanks to a three-run home run off the bat of Jessie Mehr in the top of the seventh against Purdue on Sunday and a three RBI triple from Taylor Clark that cleared the bases in the second game of the weekend against Penn State.
3. First inning success
Another number the Hokies have flipped in the early goings of this season is runs scored in the first inning, a category that Tech trailed for most of 2017. This past weekend, the Hokies put up six runs to zero in the first frame and scored first in three of their four victories. Tech is leading 14-1 overall in the first inning this season. The Hokies will have to stay aggressive in the first inning this weekend in Austin if they want to surprise people.
4. Miller breaks out
Despite a tough first weekend at the Sand Dollar Classic, freshman Sammi Miller bounced back in a big way at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge where she went 5 for 10 with four runs scored, a double and her first career home run. Both of her starts came in the leadoff spot at designated player. Miller, a high school NFCA All-American, was a player in particular that the coaching staff was excited about heading into this season. Last weekend showed why.