DURHAM, N.C. --Junior Cori McMillan put together an outstanding performance at the plate Thursday, hitting two homers, but the No. 15/11 Virginia Tech Hokies fell to the No. 5/5 Duke Blue Devils 14-5.
Freshman Emma Mazzarone (6-2) started and took the loss in the circle for Virginia Tech (25-6-1).
McMillan went 2-for-3 at the plate, supplementing her two home runs with four RBIs. Junior Bre Peck added to McMillan's awesome power-hitting performance by going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Senior Emma Ritter also chipped in for the Hokies, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 8-0, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the third inning. Virginia Tech's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a three-run home run off the bat of McMillan.
The Hokies deficit expanded to 14-4 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Virginia Tech picked up a run on McMillan's one-out solo home run off of senior Lillie Walker, which tightened the Blue Devils lead to 14-5. The ballgame ended with that fifth inning rally falling short.
GAME NOTES
» Virginia Tech got a two-homer day from McMillan.
» Virginia Tech's power output was led by McMillan, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» McMillan drove in four runs for the Hokies.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Virginia Tech went 2-for-5 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 30 Duke hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out three.
» McMillan led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI.
» Duke was led offensively by senior Claire Davidson, who went 2-for-2 with a double, a home run and three RBI.
» Walker led the Blue Devils pitching staff, throwing 2.1 innings of one-run ball.