Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 14/16 Virginia Tech split on opening day of the Queen City Classic. The Hokies (6-1) defeated Villanova, 7-3, but came up short against Michigan State, 7-6.
Game One • Virginia Tech 7, Villanova 3
Emma Mazzarone was clutch for the Hokies in the circle as she got the game started with three straight strikeouts. She was dominant in the circle from start to finish, allowing no hits over four complete innings.
In the top of the second, Nora Abromavage capitalized with Kylie Aldridge on base and blasted a two-run home run down the left field line – her third home run of the season – to give Tech an early 2-0 lead.
The Hokies added on another run in the top of the third off an RBI double by Zoe Yaeger.
Tech exploded for three runs in the top of the fifth. Yaeger continued her stellar day at the plate with a three-run long ball and Gaby Mizelle ripped a single up the middle to make it 7-0 Hokies.
Addison Fisher made her second collegiate appearance as she closed out the game for the Hokies. She gave up just three hits over three innings as Tech won, 7-3.
Game Two • Michigan State 7, Virginia Tech 6
Tech’s bats came alive to start the game with three runs over the first two innings. Jordan Lynch and Nora Abromavage both delivered RBI singles in the first, and Rachel Castine blasted her first home run of the season in the top of the second to make it a 3-0 game.
The Spartans’ six-run bottom of the second propelled them to a 6-3 lead, but the Hokies continued to fight back. After a leadoff single from Addison Foster, Lynch hit a two-run home run off the scoreboard to cut the deficit to 6-5.
Despite Michigan State tacking on another run in the bottom of the fifth, the Hokies made it a one-run ball game once again off an RBI single from Kylie Aldridge, but were unable to score again.
Game Notes
Villanova
• Tech is now 6-10 in all-time matchups against Villanova
• The Hokies outhit the Wildcats
• Nora Abromavage hit her team-leading third home run of the season
• Zoe Yaeger hit her second home run of the season
• Emma Mazzarone earned her second win in the circle
• Mazzarone recorded a season-high eight strikeouts
Michigan State
• Tech outhit the Spartans, 13-7
• Five Hokies recorded two or more hits
• Rachel Castine hit her first home run of the season
• Jordan Lynch led the Hokies offensively, going 3-for-4 with three RBI
Up Next
No. 14/16 Virginia Tech (6-1) continues action at the Queen City Classic with games against Villanova (10 a.m.) and Charlotte (3 p.m.) on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. The Charlotte game will be televised on ESPN+.