BLACKSBURG – Sophomore Lyndsey Grein was mowing people down on Saturday, striking out 10 Pitt hitters over six innings of work to help lead the No. 18/12 Virginia Tech Hokies over the Panthers 8-4.
In addition to her 10 strikeouts, Grein (6-2) went six innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on four hits and walking two for Virginia Tech (20-4-1, 8-0). Junior Emma Lemley also made an impact in the circle for the Hokies, throwing one shutout inning while allowing one hit, with no walks and one strikeout.
Offensively, the Hokies were led by senior Maija Louko, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Senior Emma Ritter furnished a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Freshman Michelle Chatfield also contributed for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Chatfield put Virginia Tech on the board with a leadoff home run off junior Adriana Romano.
The Hokies then held the Panthers scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. Virginia Tech scored three times, with an output that included home runs from both Louko and Ritter, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech kept Pittsburgh without a run before building their lead to 5-0 the following inning. The Hokies scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Cori McMillan.
The Panthers gained ground, closing the gap to 5-4 until Virginia Tech added some insurance in the sixth. The three-run fram for the Hokies was puncuated by a two-run single off the bat of junior Bre Peck. bringing the Virginia Tech advantage to 8-4. The score remained 8-4 for the rest of the game, as the Hokies coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Grein struck out 10 Panthers hitters.
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hokies had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Panthers 1-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit three home runs in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Panthers at an 8-5 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 29 Pittsburgh hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Hokies drew eight walks from Pittsburgh pitching.
» Louko led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
» Pittsburgh was led offensively by junior Kylie Griggs, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.
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Gallery: (3-16-2024) SB: Pitt Game 2