Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Michelle Chatfield’s program-record nine RBIs propelled the No. 13/16 Hokies (40-9, 14-6 ACC) to a 14-5 (5 inn.) win over North Carolina (31-17, 9-14 ACC) on Saturday night at Tech Softball Park.
How It Happened
North Carolina jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first off a bases-clearing double. Followed by a two-hour rain delay, Avery Layton entered the game and threw back-to-back strikeouts to get the Hokies out of the jam.
Tech struck in the bottom of the first with three runs of its own. After back-to-back hits from Addison Foster and Jordan Lynch, Michelle Chatfield ripped an RBI single up the middle to make it 3-1. With runners on second and third, Zoe Yaeger drilled a two-RBI double to the gap in left center to tie up the game.
UNC capitalized on a Tech error and saw two runs cross the plate in the top of the second, but once again the Hokies punched right back. After the bases were juiced off an Annika Rohs lead-off double and back-to-back walks, Chatfield launched her third career grand slam to left center to regain the lead, 7-5.
The Hokies held UNC to five runs throughout the remainder of the game while they continued to add runs. After back-to-back singles once again from Foster and Lynch in the bottom of the third, Chatfield hit her second home run of the afternoon – a three-run shot to left center – to extend the Hokie lead to 10-5.
Tech exploded for four runs off three home runs in the bottom of the fifth. With Chatfield leading off the inning, she launched her third home run of the day with her program-record ninth RBI to bring in the Hokies’ 11th run.
Nora Abromavage joined the home run party with her team-leading 16th blast of the season – a solo shot to right field – to extend the lead to 12-5. After a single from Rachel Castine, Gaby Mizelle walked it off for the Hokies with a two-run home run to secure the 14-5 run-rule win.
Avery Layton shined in the circle for the Hokies as she pitched 5.0 innings and recorded four strikeouts.
Game Notes
• Michelle Chatfield set the program record with nine RBIs
• She also tied the program record with three home runs and four hits
• She is the first Hokie to record at least eight RBIs in a game since Megan Evans in 2004
• This is Chatfield’s second career three-home run game
• It also marks the third four-hit game of her career
• Tech recorded its 40th win – the program’s fourth 40-win season in the past five years
• Tech’s 17 hits are the second most in a game this year
• Tech outhit its opponent for the 44th time in 49 games
• Tech recorded its 16th run-rule win of the year
• Tech scored 10 or more runs for the 17th time this year
• All nine players in the starting lineup recorded a hit
• Avery Layton improved to 8-2 in the circle
Up Next
No. 13/16 Virginia Tech (40-9, 14-6 ACC) wraps up the series against North Carolina (31-17, 9-14 ACC) on Sunday at noon at Tech Softball Park. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra.