BLACKSBURG – After three midweek wins, the No. 24 Virginia Tech softball team will hit the road to Pittsburgh for a three-game ACC series beginning on Friday and wrapping up on Sunday.
The series will be the Hokies' (24-4, 5-1 ACC) second straight weekend on the road, following their time at NC State, a sweep. All three games versus Pitt (4-22, 1-5) will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
MIDWEEK SCHEDULE
Fri. | 5 p.m. vs. Pitt | Stats | Watch
Sat. | 4 p.m. vs. Pitt | Stats | Watch
Sun. | Noon vs. Pitt | Stats | Watch
The last time out, Tech won its Wednesday tilt with Lipscomb (19-9-1) 9-7 at Tech Softball Park. The long ball was the story of the game, as four players hit a home run, including Caitlyn Nolan, Emma Strouth, Grace Chavez and Jayne Bailey.
In the circle, pitcher Carrie Eberle (15-1) went the distance pitching seven innings on 138 pitches, while striking out six. Eberle also pitched on Tuesday in the Hokies' clash with Binghamton (6-9), going four innings with a one-hitter and five strikeouts in the first game of a doubleheader.
On the day, Tech outscored the Bearcats 21-1 in two run-rule victories in five innings each. Mackenzie Lawter hit two home runs in the same inning and Keely Rochard pitched an 11-strikeout, two-hit gem in Game 2.
Earlier this week, the NCAA released its first Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings of the season, with the Hokies coming in at the No. 28 spot. They are one of only four teams out of the ACC in the top 30, including No. 1 Florida State (27-3), No. 21 Notre Dame (16-9) and No. 27 North Carolina (15-9).
SCOUTING PITT
Record: 4-22 (1-5 ACC)
Head coach: Jodi Hermanek (4-22, 1st season)
All-time series: Tech leads 17-10
The Panthers and Hokie were actually in Charleston, South Carolina at the same time to open up the year at the Cougar Classic, but did not face each other. Pitt is coming off a 11-9 extra-inning loss to Ohio (18-10) on Tuesday and a 1-2 series mark against Duke (12-17, 3-3) last weekend in Durham.
