Hokie ClubCOLUMBIA, S.C. – Behind stellar pitching, the Hokies went 2-0 on Day Two of the Gamecock Invitational with a 4-1 win over Binghamton and a 1-0 shutout victory over Winthrop.
Bree Carrico, Sophie Kleiman and Avery Layton shined in the circle for the Hokies. Combined, the trio allowed just one run and recorded 16 strikeouts.
Game One • Virginia Tech 4, Binghamton 1
Addison Foster wasted no time as she launched a leadoff home run to right field to give the Hokies an early 1-0 lead. Binghamton tied the contest later in the bottom of the first off a wild pitch, but Emma Mazzarone put the Hokies back on top with a solo shot to left field in the top of the fourth.
Up 2-1, Zoe Yaeger drilled a two-RBI double to center field to extend the Hokie lead. Binghamton threatened once more with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, but Annika Rohs and Rachel Castine turned the double play to keep it a 4-1 game.
Sophie Kleiman and Bree Carrico were excellent in the circle, combining for seven strikeouts and allowing just four hits.
Game Two • Virginia Tech 1, Winthrop 0
After a Winthrop error put Gaby Mizelle on first, she stole second and put herself in scoring position. Nora Abromavage then launched an RBI double to left center to score Mizelle to put the Hokies up 1-0.
Despite Tech not having anyone else cross home plate the rest of the game, Avery Layton was dealing in the circle. In her collegiate debut, Layton pitched a complete-game shutout and recorded nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits to lead the Hokies to victory.
Game Notes
• Tech is 3-0 to start the year for the eighth straight season
• Addison Foster hit her first home run in a Hokie uniform
• Emma Mazzarone hit her first home run of the season and the 15th of her career
• Michelle Chatfield led the Hokies offensively, going 4-for-6 on the day
• Against Binghamton, Bree Carrico earned her first career save
• Sophie Kleiman earned her first win of the season against Binghamton
• Avery Layton shined in her collegiate debut with nine strikeouts against Winthrop
• Layton earned her first career win
Up Next
No. 21 Virginia Tech (3-0) continues play at the Gamecock Invitational on Friday against Binghamton (12:30 p.m.) and No. 19 South Carolina (5:30 p.m.) in Columbia, S.C.