Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 11/12 Virginia Tech (36-6, 11-4 ACC) secured the series against No. 17/21 Virginia (33-8, 10-7 ACC) with a 5-0 shutout victory in the series finale on Sunday at Palmer Park.
Tech’s pitching was lights out from start to finish as Emma Mazzarone and Bre Carrico combined for 11 strikeouts and allowed just four hits in the combined shutout.
How It Happened
The game was a slow start for both teams offensively with each squad recording just one hit through two innings. Tech had a solid chance in the top of the second, but left the bases loaded.
Tech had a huge four-run inning in the top of the third. With the bases loaded, the Hokies capitalized on a Virginia error and scored two runs on an errant throw. A sacrifice bunt by Kylie Aldridge and an RBI single from Rachel Castine brought in the final two runs to make it a 4-0 lead.
The Hokies scored one more run in the top of the fourth. In their third straight inning with the bases loaded, Zoe Yaeger drilled a fielder’s choice grounder to the shortstop to extend the Tech lead to 5-0.
Both Emma Mazzarone and Bre Carrico were electric for the Hokies in the circle. Combining for a shutout, the duo recorded 11 total strikeouts and held the Cavaliers to just four hits.
The series win gives the Hokies one point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 12-5 in favor of Virginia. For more information, visit hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.
Game Notes
• Tech is now 58-27 against Virginia in all-time matchups
• Tech won its 12th straight series against the Cavaliers
• This is the first ACC series in the Pete D’Amour era where Tech did not hit a home run
• This is the first time all season Virginia has been shut out
• Tech has outhit its opponent in 39 of 42 games played
• Rachel Castine led all Hokies with two hits, going 2-for-3 with one RBI
• Emma Mazzarone improved to 10-3 with her seven strikeouts over 5.0 innings
• Bree Carrico struck out four batters over 2.0 innings in relief
Up Next
No. 11/12 Virginia Tech (36-6, 11-4 ACC) travels to Lynchburg, Va., for a midweek matchup at Liberty (20-21, 13-5 CUSA) on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN+.