April 13, 2018

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Tech (17-24, 3-12 ACC) rode a strong effort in the circle and a pair of home runs from pitcher Carrie Eberle to claim the series opener, 6-2, over Virginia (12-29, 3-13 ACC) on Friday (April 13).

Virginia Tech jumped in front early as a pair of errors in the second allowed the Hokies to score a run on just one hit. The Hokies added another marker an inning later on Eberle’s first home run.

After a routine ground ball popped off the first base bag for a hit to open the fourth inning, the strike zone proved elusive for the Cavaliers as three-straight walks pushed a run home. A sacrifice fly built the Hokies’ lead to 4-0 before reliever Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) escaped the inning.

Virginia rallied in the sixth to break through on the scoreboard. Smith doubled into the left center field gap to plate a run and Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) followed with an RBI-groundout to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Hokies, however, used the second home run of the night from Eberle to gain an insurance run. A double would score another as the Hokies regained a four-run edge at 6-2. Eberle would return to the circle and finish off her 16th complete game of the season to earn the victory.

Osherow (6-14) was saddled with the loss for Virginia. The starter worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits. Smith tossed two scoreless innings in relief while Tabby Dabney (Mechanicsville, Va.) allowed a pair of runs, one earned, in 1 1/3 innings.

DOUBLEHEADER SATURDAY

With inclement weather expected on Sunday, Virginia and Virginia Tech will close the series with a doubleheader on Saturday (April 14). First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

Saturday will also serve as Senior Day as the Cavaliers honor Allison Davis (Oak Hill, Va.) and Danni Ingraham (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) following the second game of the doubleheader.

More on the Commonwealth Clash
The series also signifies the softball matchup between Virginia and Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Clash. 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 21 individual event points on the line. The school that accumulates 11 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.