Hokies topped by No. 20 Michigan, 2-0

AUSTIN - Despite strong pitching from freshman Jordan Dail and solid defense, particular behind the plate from freshman Mackenzie Lawter, Virginia Tech couldn’t get by 20th-ranked Michigan as the Hokies fell to the Wolverines, 2-0, on Friday in their first game at the Texas Invitational.

Dail allowed only three hits and struck out five in a complete game effort and Lawter threw out two base runners behind the plate. Although Dail allowed only three hits, the Hokies could muster only three base hits themselves off the bats of senior Caroline Schoenewald, junior Olivia Lattin and junior Caitlyn Nolan. The Hokies (6-3) had their six-game win streak snapped in the loss to the Wolverines (6-4).

Schoenewald was the first base runner of the ballgame after reaching on a single to center field in the top of the first. She then stole second for her fourth stolen base on the season in as many tries but she was eventually left stranded.

After scoring on a bases loaded hit by pitch in the bottom of the second, Michigan threatened again the bottom of the third but the Hokies defense stepped up with some big plays behind Dail. After the lead off runner reached on a walk, Lawter threw her out stealing second base for the first out. Freshman Cana Davis then made a nice sliding catch in left field for the second out and Dail followed with her second strikeout of the day that ended the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Dail allowed a lead off walk and the runner stole second, moved to third on a groundout and then crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly, extending Michigan’s lead to 2-0.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Lattin slapped a two out single to left but was left on base. The home half of the sixth saw Lawter throw out her second runner of day and her fifth of the season, giving the Hokies some momentum heading into the top of the seventh. Nolan got on via a one out single but the next two Hokies popped out to the end the game.

The Hokies will face the Wolverines once again tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. EST before taking on host Texas at 4 p.m.