AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 10/12 Virginia Tech softball team competes in its final nonconference invitational, competing in the Lone Star State Invitational from Feb. 24-26. The Hokies will take on No. 9/13 Texas twice, as well as Abilene Christian and Texas Southern.
SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
Friday, Feb. 24
#10/12 Virginia Tech vs. Abilene Christian | 2:30PM
#10/12 Virginia Tech vs. #9/13 Texas | 5 PM | Longhorn Network
Saturday, Feb. 25
#10/12 Virginia Tech vs. Texas Southern | 11AM
#10/12 Virginia Tech vs. #9/13 Texas | 5PM | Longhorn Network
Sunday, Feb. 26
#10/12 Virginia Tech vs. Abilene Christian | 10:30AM
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies finished their time at the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational with a 2-3 record, defeating Nebraska 6-4 and USF 4-1. Tech's losses were to No. 5 Oklahoma State (10-9), No. 2 UCLA (8-4) and No. 10 Arizona (6-2). Cameron Fagan finished the weekend with a .412 batting average, leading Tech with seven hits and scoring three runs. Emma Ritter continued to be a consistent leadoff, finishing with a .333 average with two RBI and one run scored. In the circle, Emma Lemley registered 37 strikeouts over 21 innings pitched and only walked two all weekend, going 2-1 in Florida. The sophomore also set a new career high with 17 strikeouts against Arizona.
HOKIE HOMERS
The Hokie lineup hit 10 home runs total throughout the weekend down in Clearwater, with five of those home runs being recorded in game one against No. 5 Oklahoma State, all hit by different players throughout the game. Madison Hanson, Bre Peck, Jayme Bailey, and Kelsey Bennett all hit two home runs while in Florida. Pinch hitting was key for Hokies last weekend as Hanson and Morgan Overaitis both came in to hit significant home runs.
HOW ABOUT HANSON
Junior Madison Hanson had a career weekend at the plate, recording a .333 batting average and four RBI for the Hokies. Hanson hit a clutch pinch-hit two-run home run against Oklahoma State, her first career home run. She continued her weekend as designated player where she hit another home run during the win against Nebraska. The junior also contributed an important RBI against No. 2 UCLA and ended the weekend with a 1.000 slugging percentage.
UP NEXT
After the Hokies return home from Texas, they will host their first ACC (and home) games of the season, welcoming NC State to Blacksburg from March 3-5.
