PHOENIX, Ariz. --The Virginia Tech Hokies fell 6-5 in an eight-inning matchup to the Cal Golden Bears Saturday.
Sophomore Lyndsey Grein (2-0) got the ball to start for Virginia Tech (6-1-1) and took the loss. Freshman Emma Mazzarone (1-1) was a bright spot for the Hokies, starting the ballgame and throwing 3.2 innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on one hit, with two walks and two strikeouts.
Junior Rachel Castine led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 1-for-2 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and five RBI. Senior Emma Ritter put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4. Freshman Emily LeGette also contributed, going 2-for-3 for Virginia Tech.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the third inning. Virginia Tech got a grand slam from Castine off of freshman Randi Roelling, scoring all four of their runs in the inning.
The Golden Bears then rallied to score four runs and take a 6-4 lead before the Hokies got back on the board in the eighth. Senior Cameron Fagan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech, which tightened the Golden Bears lead to 6-5. The Hokies were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Castine drove in five runs for the Hokies.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Golden Bears at a 6-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 34 Cal hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Hokies drew five walks from Cal pitching.
» Castine led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and five RBI.
» Cal was led offensively by sophomore Elon Butler, who went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
» Roelling led the Golden Bears pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of three-run ball.
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