SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 20/19 Virginia Tech softball team travels to Syracuse for its final ACC regular season series of the year starting Friday.
The Hokies won the last meeting between the teams on March 10, 2018, as part of a 2-1 series loss at the hands of the Orange. Syracuse leads the all-time series 14-8, but the teams are an even 5-5 in their last 10 games.The Hokies are 2-10 at Syracuse, including 1-5 in their last two trips to upstate New York.
Tech coach Pete D'Amour has never faced Syracuse in his five-year head coaching career. D'Amour and Syracuse head coach Shannon Doepking were both hired prior to the 2019 season.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday at Syracuse at 4 p.m. ET | Watch | Stats
Saturday at Syracuse at 1 p.m. ET | Watch | Stats
Saturday at Syracuse at 3 p.m. ET | Watch | Stats
Sunday at Syracuse at noon ET | Watch | Stats
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies lost a 5-3, nine-inning game to Liberty Wednesday night after the Flames erased a three-run deficit in the seventh inning. Tech took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning but the Flames were able to tie it and walk it off in the ninth. Pitcher Keely Rochard got the loss despite an eight-inning, complete game with 11 strikeouts.
WHO TO WATCH
Kelsey Brown had her seventh three-hit game of the season Wednesday at Liberty. The sophomore also stole two bases in the game, upping her season total to a perfect 27 stolen bases on 27 attempts.
Mackenzie Lawter has been swinging a hot bat in her last six games, recording five runs batted in and two home runs in that span. The catcher has 10 RBIs on the season and has gone yard three times this year.
SCOUTNG SYRACUSE
Record: 19-16 (11-13 ACC)
Head coach: Shannon Doepking (51-58, 3rd season)
All-time series: Syracuse leads 14-8
Syracuse enters the weekend after beating Virginia 3-1 in their weekend series and a 10-6 victory over non-conference opponent Albany on Tuesday.
