SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 23/22 Virginia Tech softball team is set to begin the 2023 ACC Championship on Thursday, coming in as the No. 5 seed to take on No. 4 seed Louisville. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. on ACC Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies responded from tied 5-5 in the sixth inning to complete the win, securing a 7-5 victory over the Liberty Flames last Wednesday. Freshman Lyndsey Grein (9-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (36-17). The right-hander went three innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on two hits, allowing four walks and striking out three. At the plate, the Hokies were paced by freshman Kylie Aldridge, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Senior Morgan Overaitis also helped out for Virginia Tech, hitting a two-RBI double which proved to be the game-winner in the top of the seventh.
THE OPENING MATCHUP
The Hokies and Cardinals have very similar overall records, with Tech coming in at 36-17 and Louisville with a 35-17 record. The Cardinals have the edge in ACC play, posting a 16-7 conference record, while the Hokies finished 14-10 in ACC play to earn the five seed. Louisville has wins over then-No. 23 Missouri, No. 25 UCF and No. 15 Duke.
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Virginia Tech advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Championship a season ago, defeating Syracuse 2-1 in the opening round but falling to No. 15 Clemson in the semifinals. That marked the second straight season the Hokies fell to the Tigers in the semifinals, falling to Clemson 2-0 in 2021 in the semifinals. The Hokies last made the championship game in 2012, falling to Georgia Tech in the final. Tech last won the Championship in 2008, defeating NC State 2-0 to win the ACC Championship.
ALL-ACC
Six members of the Virginia Tech softball team have been named to the All-ACC Team, as four members land on the Second Team and two members land on the Third Team. On the Second Team, Kelsey Brown, Emma Lemley, Bre Peck and Emma Ritter each earn a spot, while Jayme Bailey and Cameron Fagan represent Tech on the Third Team.
UP NEXT
Should the Hokies defeat Louisville on Thursday, they will take on the winner of Florida State and Syracuse at 1 p.m. on Friday in the semifinals.
