AUBURN, Ala. --The No. 23 Virginia Tech Hokies got a boost from senior Cameron Fagan, who collected three hits in a 6-5 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini Sunday.
Sophomore Cassie Grizzard (2-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (4-0-1). The lefty went 3.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out four.
Fagan's three-hit day led the Hokies offensively. Junior Rachel Castine compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-3 with a home run, her fourth of the tournament, and three RBI. Senior Emma Ritter also chipped in for Virginia Tech, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Virginia Tech plated two runs when freshman Michelle Chatfield left the yard with Castine aboard.
The Hokies lost the lead they built in the second, but got back on the board in the third trailing 4-2. Virginia Tech scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Castine, scoring freshman Sara McNelly and junior Bre Peck, which brought the Hokies lead to 5-4.
Virginia Tech held Illinois without a run before expanding their lead to 6-4 the following inning. The Hokies picked up a run on Ritter's one-out solo home run off junior Briana Bower. Illinois put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still held on for the 6-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Fagan picked up three base hits in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit three dingers in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Fighting Illini at a 12-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers limited Illinois to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 30 Illinois hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and five fly balls while striking out eight.
» Castine led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
» Illinois was led offensively by sophomore Sydney Malott, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
» Bower led the Fighting Illini pitching staff, throwing 3.1 innings of one-run ball.
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