Virginia Tech Hokies News: Baseball edges Pitt, softball swept at Duke

In this edition of Virginia Tech Hokies news, the baseball team had to work extra hard against Pittsburgh, the softball team struggled at Duke and the women's lacrosse team fell on the road in the ACC.

Baseball takes 2-out-of-3 from Pittsburgh

The 11th-ranked Hokies baseball team found out that every game is going to be tough in the ACC this season, even against the bottom teams. Virginia Tech took two out of three over the weekend against Pittsburgh, but it wasn't easy improving to 21-5 overall and 10-2 in the ACC.

In Game 1, Tech scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to rally for a 5-3 win. Henry Cooke had a two run home run, Clay Grady had an RBI single in the game and the fifth and final run scored on a Carson DeMartini double and Panthers' error. In Game 2, the Hokies were unable to rally, falling 7-6 despite a DeMartini home run and three hits (RBI) from Ben Watson and two hits (two RBI) from Gehrig Ebel.

Virginia Tech used some small ball to win the third and final game of the series, 6-5. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the eight, a suicide squeeze from Ethan Gibson and a safety squeeze from DeMartini drove in the game-winning run. Christian Martin and Chris Cannizzoro each homered.

Softball swept at Duke

The softball team traveled to Durham, North Carolina undefeated in ACC play at 9-0, two games ahead of Duke entering the series. By the time the dust settled, the Hokies were swept and headed back to Blacksburg one game behind the Blue Devils.

Duke won the opener, 14-5, they walked off the Hokies in Game 2, 7-6, in the bottom of the seventh before shutting down Virginia Tech in Game 3, 5-2.

In the first game, the Hokies trailed 8-0 through two innings and were never able to recover. Cori McMillan had two home runs, a three-run shot, and a solo blast and drove in four of the five runs. The next day, the Hokies jumped out to a 4-0 in the top of the first one a three-run home run from Bre Peck, and a solo shot from Michelle Chatfield. Tech trailed 6-5 entering the top of the seventh but tied the game when Peck scored from first base on a McMillan single and outfield error before the Blue Devils pushed across the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning.

In the series final, the Hokies were shut down to the tune of just two runs, and four third-inning runs by Duke completed the sweep. Emma Ritter had two hits, including a home run and two RBI, while Annika Rohs also had two hits. The Hokies dropped to 25-8-1 overall and will host Wofford Tuesday for a doubleheader, then Liberty for a single game Wednesday.

Women's lacrosse falls at Clemson

The women's lacrosse team fell to 8-5 overall and 2-4 in the ACC with a 14-5 loss at Clemson. Paige Tyson, Ella Rishko, Mia Pozzi and Isa Torres scored the Hokies' goals.