CLEARWATER, FL -- The No. 8/9 Virginia Tech softball team fell 10-9 to No. 5 Oklahoma State on Friday morning. The Hokies battled back from a six-run deficit in the fourth but fell after a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh from the Cowgirls.
Sophomore Molly Jacobson (0-1) came out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (5-1) and took the loss, throwing the final three innings.
In the batter's box, Tech launched five home runs on the day, leading the tournament field so far. The Hokies were led by junior Addy Greene, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Senior Jayme Bailey chipped in at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Junior Madison Hanson also helped out for Virginia Tech, coming in to pinch hit in the second inning and knocking a two-run home run. That is the first home run of Hanson's career. Bre Peck and Kelsey Bennett also had home runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie up the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Virginia Tech plated two runs when Hanson left the yard with junior Maija Louko aboard.
After the Cowgirls rallied to tie the ballgame at two, the Hokies came back to retake the lead in the third inning. Virginia Tech picked up a run on Greene's one-out solo home run off of senior Lexi Kilfoyl, which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech's lead turned into a 9-3 Oklahoma State advantage in the bottom of the fourth when the Cowgirls put up six runs. The Hokies cut into the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer from Bailey that scored junior Cameron Fagan and Greene.
Virginia Tech held the Cowgirls off the board before narrowing the gap further in the sixth. The Hokies scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Emma Ritter, tightening the Oklahoma State lead to 9-7.
The Hokies defense held solid before fighting back to even it up at nine in the seventh. Virginia Tech scored twice on solo home runs from sophomore Bre Peck and senior Kelsey Bennett. Oklahoma State then scored one time in the bottom half of the seventh to break the tie and grab the 10-9 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Hokies got three-hit games from both Ritter and Greene.
» Four Virginia Tech hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Hokies took Oklahoma State pitchers deep five times on Friday.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Greene led the Hokies at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
The Hokies now take on Nebraska at 4 p.m. on Friday on ACC Network.
Gallery: (2-17-2023) SB: vs. Oklahoma State at Clearwater