BLACKSBURG, Va. --Senior Maija Louko collected four RBIs to help lead the No. 20 Virginia Tech Hokies over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-5 on Sunday.
Sophomore Lyndsey Grein (4-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Virginia Tech (15-3-1, 3-0). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits, allowing five walks and striking out seven.
Louko went 1-for-1 with a grand slam. Freshman Michelle Chatfield compiled a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Senior Addy Greene also contributed for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Greene came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech and get them on the board.
The Hokies then held the Fighting Irish scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Virginia Tech picked up a run on Chatfield's leadoff home run off of freshman Kami Kamzik, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech's lead had evaporated once the fifth inning came around and turned into a 4-2 Notre Dame advantage, when the Hokies re-gained control at 10-4. The Hokies bats heated up in the inning, scoring eight runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Louko and a two-run single from senior Cameron Fagan.
Virginia Tech kept the Fighting Irish scoreless before their offense got in gear the next inning. Senior Emma Ritter crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Hokies, bringing the Virginia Tech advantage to 11-4. Notre Dame put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Hokies still coasted to the 11-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Grein struck out seven Fighting Irish hitters.
» Louko drove in four runs for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed eight runs across.
» Junior Cori McMillan stole three bases in Sunday's game.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 34 Notre Dame hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Hokies drew five walks from Notre Dame pitching.
» Louko led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a home run and four RBI.
» Notre Dame was led offensively by freshman Addison Amaral, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
» Sophomore Micaela Kastor led the Fighting Irish pitching staff, throwing one inning of one-run ball.
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