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Softball
Hokies' Big Sixth Inning Spoils Virginia's Home Debut
March 3, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Tech (9-5, 1-0 ACC) used an eight-run, sixth inning to fuel a 13-5, six-inning victory over Virginia (8-9 0-1 ACC) in the ACC opener for both teams. The Hokies grab the initial advantage in the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529.
With the score tied at five going into the top of the sixth, Virginia Tech exploded for eight runs on seven hits. The frame included the Hokies fourth home run of the day, a three-run shot by Vanessa Gonzalez. It marked the first time this season a Virginia opponent has scored five or more runs in a single inning.
Up until the sixth inning, the game was a seesaw battle that produced three lead changes and two ties. Senior Katie Park (Scottsdale, Ariz.) gave the Cavaliers the lead in the bottom of the first with her third home run of the spring, a two-run shot over the right center field wall. She finished the day 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Park bumps her average up to a team-best, .404 on the season. She has three multi-hit performances in her last six games.
Six different players were responsible for the eight Cavalier hits. Sophomore Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) went 2-for-3 win an RBI single in the third. The middle part of the lineup, Olivia Gott (Weston, Fla.), Danni Ingraham (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) and McKall Miller (Ashburn, Va.) each collected hits in the contest.
Trailing, 2-1 in the top of the third, the Hokies belted back-to-back homers, the first by Oliva Lattin that tied the game up at two and the second by Emma Strouth which gave Virginia Tech their first lead of the night.
Virginia rallied one last time, taking their second lead of the game with a three-run third inning. Kaitlin Fitzgerald (Placentia, Calif.) delivered the big hit, a two-run, two-out single up the middle that scored Miller and Ingraham.
The Hokies tied the game up for the second time with two more runs in the top of the fourth, the third-straight inning a run was put up on the board. Chelsea Whitcomb led the frame off with a solo homer and Lattin delivered an RBI double to center field.
For the Hokies, Gonzalez and Jessie Mehr each went 4-for-4.
The two teams will return to action tomorrow (March 4) in the second game of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at The Park.
The Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529 is a head-to-head, points-based competition between the athletic teams at University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Commonwealth Clash encourages a friendly, statewide rivalry between the two schools across all school-sponsored sports with 22 individual event points on the line. The school that accumulates 11.5 points or more will be crowned the winner and take home the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash trophy. Visit www.TheCommonwealthClash.com for more information and updated standings.