BLACKSBURG – The No. 10/13 Virginia Tech softball team opens ACC play this weekend, hosting N.C. State in a three-game series beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. (game time moved up due to weather.). All three games will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies finished their time at the Lone Star State Invitational with a 4-1 record, defeating Abilene Christian twice, as well as wins over Texas Southern and No. 9/13 Texas. The lone loss came at the hands of Texas in a rematch on Saturday. Tech came from behind to post a 6-5 win over the Longhorns on Friday in extra innings, scoring three runs in the top of the 7th to tie the game up at 5-5. Cameron Fagan had the game-winning RBI in the top of the 8th and Emma Lemley closed out the bottom half of the inning with two strikeouts to earn the win.
COMEBACK KIDS
The Hokie bats have come up big in two games this season, working from behind to tie the game up via the long ball. Most recently, Tech came back from down 5-2 in the top of the seventh against No. 9/13 Texas, hitting a two-run home run off the bat of Kelsey Bennett and a solo shot from Emma Jackson to tie the game up at 5-5. The Hokies would win that game 6-5 in eight innings, as Cameron Fagan had the game-winning RBI. Tech also came back from a six-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the seventh against No. 5 Oklahoma State. Jayme Bailey, Bennett and Bre Peck all had home runs to help the cause.
ACTION JACKSON
Freshman Emma Jackson made an impact on the Hokies weekend in Texas, coming up clutch with the game-tying home run against No. 9/13 Texas, her first career home run in her first career start as DP. She followed that up with a three-run home run in the run rule win over Texas Southern the following day. As the DP over the weekend, Jackson hit .333 with four hits, scoring three runs and tallying four RBI.
UP NEXT
Tech continues its home stand next weekend, hosting Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday at 4 and 6 p. m. The Hokies then hit the road to face Gardner-Webb on Wednesday, followed by a three-game series at North Carolina beginning on Friday.
