Hokie ClubCOLUMBIA, S.C. – A huge seven-run sixth inning propelled the No. 19/21 Hokies to an 8-4 win over No. 12/14 South Carolina to open the season.
Kylie Aldridge went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBIs, and Emma Mazzarone and Gaby Mizelle added two RBIs apiece.
How It Happened
Tech threatened in the top of the first inning as transfer Addison Foster made her presence felt immediately with a single through the right side. Despite making her way to second, the Hokies were unable to bring her in.
Emma Mazzarone was clutch for the Hokies in the early innings with three strikeouts alone in the bottom of the second inning. The score remained tied 0-0 through two innings.
The Gamecocks struck first after Mazzarone threw a wild pitch in the bottom of the third, but the Hokies responded right away. After Jordan Lynch ripped a double to left field, Gaby Mizelle hit an RBI single up the middle for her first career hit and RBI to tie the game.
South Carolina added three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead, but that was the last time the Gamecocks led in the game.
Kylie Aldridge blasted an absolute rocket to center field – a solo shot – to cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the sixth.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Mizelle came in clutch for the Hokies once again, drawing a bases-loaded walk. Down 4-3, a sacrifice fly from Nora Abromavage tied the contest up at 4-4. Right after, Mazzarone delivered a two-RBI triple, the first of her career, to give the Hokies the 6-4 lead.
Tech added two more runs off a Gamecock error and an RBI double by Aldridge to take an 8-4 advantage and maintained that lead throughout the rest of the game.
Game Notes
•Tech improves to 9-7 in all-time matchups against South Carolina
• The Hokies earned their first ranked win of the season
• Tech out-hit the Gamecocks, 8-5
• Kylie Aldridge hit the first Hokie home run of the season – a solo shot in the top of the sixth
• Emma Mazzarone hit her first career triple
• Mazzarone also pitched 4.0 innings and allowed just two hits with five strikeouts
• Addison Fisher earned her first career win in the circle. The freshman allowed two hits in one inning of work
• Bre Carrico made her collegiate debut and struck out three batters over 2.0 innings pitched
• Sara McNelly and Gaby Mizelle earned their first career starts, while Addison Foster started for the first time in a Hokie uniform
• Foster recorded the first Hokie hit of her career – a leadoff single through the right side – in her first at bat
• Mizelle also recorded her first career hit and had two RBIs on the night
Up Next
No. 21 Virginia Tech (1-0) continues competition at the Gamecock Invitational with games against Binghamton (12:30 p.m.) and Winthrop (5:30 p.m.) on Friday, Feb. 6 in Columbia, S.C.