LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The No. 21 Virginia Tech Hokies responded from tied 5-5 in the sixth inning to complete the win, securing a 7-5 victory over the Flames 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. Emma Lemley made the start for the Hokies, going four innings and giving up three runs on four hits.
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. Junior Addy Greene hit her 12th home run of the season, adding a walk and an 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.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0 after Liberty hit a two-run home run in the first, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the third inning. Greene cut into the lead with a two-out solo home run off junior Karlie Keeney.
The Flames expanded their lead to 3-1 before the Hokies offense got back to work, tying it up in the fifth. Virginia Tech scored twice on Aldridge's two-run homer, which brought the score level at 3-3.
Liberty broke that tie and took a 5-3 lead heading into the sixth, when Virginia Tech tied the game at five. Junior Madison Hanson's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Hokies. Rachel Castine also added a sacrifice fly for an RBI.
The game remained tied until the very next inning, when Virginia Tech scored the game-winning runs. The Hokies pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Overaitis that brought home Greene and junior Emma Ritter, bringing the score to 7-5 in favor of Virginia Tech. The score remained 7-5 for the rest of the game, as Grein and the defense closed out the win.
GAME NOTES
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win
» The Hokies out-hit the Lady Flames at a 10-6 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers limited Liberty to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Aldridge led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
The Hokies will now set their sights on the ACC Tournament, beginning May 10 in South Bend, Ind.