BLACKSBURG, Va. --Sophomore Kylie Aldridge put together a brilliant outing at the plate Wednesday, hitting two home runs to help power the No. 15/13 Virginia Tech Hokies over the Liberty Flames 6-5.
Junior Emma Lemley (7-2) got the win out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (26-8-1). The right-hander went two innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing no walks and striking out three. Sophomore Lyndsey Grein started the ballgame and went five innings, surrendering one run on eight hits, walking one and striking out four.
Aldridge went 2-for-3 at the plate, supplementing her two home runs with two RBIs. Senior Emma Ritter added to Aldridge's awesome power-hitting performance by going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Senior Maija Louko also helped out for the Hokies, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Addy 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 Flames scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Virginia Tech scored twice on back-to-back home runs from Louko and Aldridge, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech's lead had disappeared by the time the sixth inning came around and turned into a 4-3 Liberty advantage, when the Hokies re-gained control at 6-4. The Hokies scored three times, with a showing that included home runs from both Aldridge and Ritter. Liberty put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still held on for the 6-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Hokies got two home runs off the bat of Aldridge.
» The Hokies power output was led by Aldridge, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit four home runs in the ballgame.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 35 Liberty hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Hokies drew four walks from Liberty pitching.
» Aldridge led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and two RBI.
» Liberty was led offensively by junior Rachel Roupe, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
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Gallery: (4-3-2024) SB: Liberty Game