BLACKSBURG – After going on the road for two weekends in a row, No. 24/19 Virginia Tech softball will be at its friendly confines of Tech Softball Park this weekend, playing host to Louisville in a three-game series.
The Hokies (28-4, 8-1 ACC) will play the Cardinals (21-10, 3-3) starting on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, followed by a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and a 1 p.m. start Sunday. All three games will be broadcast on WatchESPN.
The all-time series between the two schools is knotted at 6-6. The Cards have had the upper hand as of late, winning five of the last six games, including a sweep in 2017. The two teams did not face each other last season.
WEEKENDSCHEDULE
Fri. | 6 p.m. vs. Louisville | Stats | Watch
Sat. | 2 p.m. vs. Louisville | Stats | Watch
Sun. | 1 p.m. vs. Louisville | Stats | Watch
The last time out, the Hokies beat Radford (12-19, 3-3 Big South) 8-0 in five innings at TSP on Wednesday, marking their 10thrun-rule victory of the season. For the third time this year, shortstop Caitlyn Nolan homered versus the Highlanders, hitting a grand slam. First baseman Jayme Bailey also went deep, too, a two-run shot.
Pitcher Carrie Eberle (17-1) mowed down the Highlanders for her fifth shutout of the season and help Tech extend its winning streak to 11 games.
Earlier this week, the Hokies came in at No. 24 in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll, marking their first time being ranked in the poll this season. They also moved up five spots in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll, sitting at No. 19 – their highest ranking in the poll since March 20, 2013.
SCOUTING LOUISVILLE
Record: 21-10 (3-3 ACC)
Head coach: Holly Aprile (21-10, 1st season)
All-time series: Tied 6-6
The Cardinals are coming off a midweek win on Tuesday at home, downing Indiana (25-10, 0-3 B1G) 5-2 at Ulmer Stadium. Designated player Taylor Roby had a team-high three RBIs in the win.
