Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. – No. 11 Virginia Tech (22-3) fell to the No. 25 Duke Blue Devils, 7-6, to open ACC play.
Trailing 6-0, the Hokies fought their way back into the game and tied the game up at 6-6 before the Blue Devils walked it off in the bottom of the seventh.
How It Happened
Duke capitalized on three straight Virginia Tech walks and blasted a grand slam off the scoreboard to put the Blue Devils up 4-0 after the first inning.
The Hokies had several chances throughout the early innings, recording six hits through the first five innings, but were unable to bring any runs home.
The Blue Devils added a run apiece in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to extend the lead to 6-0.
In the top of the sixth, Zoe Yaeger sent a solo shot to left center to get the Hokies on the board. After Kylie Aldridge doubled to left center, Gaby Mizelle launched a two-run home run to center field to cut the deficit to 6-3.
Tech came out firing again in the top of the seventh and tied the game up at 6-6. Leading off the inning, Michelle Chatfield hit the Hokies’ second solo shot of the game to cut the lead to 6-4.
With runners on the corners, Rachel Castine ripped a two-RBI double to left field, scoring both Lily Pallante and Mizelle, to tie the game up.
In the bottom of the seventh, Duke’s Adelyn Matthews hit a walk-off double to give the Blue Devils the win, 7-6.
Game Notes
• Tech is 21-2 when outhitting opponents
• Tech is now 4-1 against ranked opponents this season
• Tech is now 9-9 in all-time matchups against Duke
• Tech begins its ACC slate 0-1 for the first time since 2021
• Eight different Hokies recorded a hit
• Michelle Chatfield hit her fifth home run of the season
• Gaby Mizelle hit her fourth home run of the season
• Zoe Yaeger hit her sixth home run of the season
Up Next
No. 11 Virginia Tech (22-3) continues its series against the No. 25 Duke (17-9) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Durham, N.C. The game will be televised on ACC Network.