Despite out-hitting Radford and a strong pitching performance in the circle from freshman Jordan Dail, Virginia Tech couldn’t get by the Highlanders as the Hokies dropped a tough 4-3 loss on Wednesday night.
Sophomore Carrie Eberle had an RBI and registered her first career three-hit game for the Hokies (15-24). Senior Caroline Schoenewald, junior Olivia Lattin, junior Sierra Walton and junior Caitlyn Nolan each turned in multi-hit games. Dail took the loss in a complete game effort where she struck out eight batters.
With the Hokies trailing 1-0, Eberle led off the top of the fourth with a base hit up the middle and was lifted for pinch runner Kinsey Johnson. Johnson stole second, her third of the season, and moved to third on a fly out to deep centerfield. Nolan then stepped to the plate and pulled a 1-0 pitch through the five-six hole that scored Johnson easily and tied the game up at 1-1.
After a shutdown fourth inning from Dail, the Highlanders pushed three runs across in the bottom of the fifth to jump out to a 4-1 lead. The Hokies responded in the top of the sixth with an RBI fielder’s choice. With the bases loaded, senior Jessie Mehr chopped a grounder to the second baseman who went to second for the second out. It was all the Highlanders could though as Eberle scored on the play from the third to cut Tech’s deficit to 4-2.
Radford looked to extend their lead with two runners in scoring position and one out in the bottom of the sixth but Dail came back to get the next two batters swinging to retire the side.
Schoenewald got the top of the seventh started with a hard hit ball to right. The right fielder fielded the ball and look to get the out at first but the throw got away and it allowed Schoenewald to advance to second. With two down and Schoenewald on third base, Eberle hit an infield tapper that allowed Schoenewald to score and made it a 4-3 ball game. It wouldn’t be enough though as Radford escaped further damage.
Virginia Tech returns to action this weekend when they travel to Virginia for a three-game set in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Virginia529.
–VT Athletics
