Virginia Tech softball pulls off historic play to key rally and stun Stanford

Trailing 5-3 in the top of the sixth inning, Stanford had runners on first and second with nobody with a chance to blow the game open. Jade Berry launched what looked like a two-run double to increase the lead, but Virginia Tech left fielder Lyla Blackwell had other ideas.

Blackwell laid out with a diving catch, then got up and threw the ball to second to Rachel Castine to double that runner off before Castine threw to first base to complete the triple play, the first program in history.

That turned the momentum, and the 12th-ranked Hokies erupted for five two-out runs in the bottom of the inning before holding on in the top of the seventh to secure a series win with a one-run victory for the second straight game against the 16th-ranked Cardinal.

Triple play sparks Virginia Tech comeback win over Stanford

Virginia Tech had two runners on in the bottom of the sixth with two outs when Cori McMillan stepped in the box. The lead-off hitter laced a two-run double to left center to tie the game 5-5. Michelle Chatfield followed with an RBI single for a 6-5 lead then Castine launched a two-run home run down the left field line just inside the foul pole for an 8-5 lead.

Stanford scored two runs in the top of the seventh off of Emma Lemley and had the tying run on second base, but the senior got a strikeout and fly ball to end the game, and the Hokies improved to 27-5 overall and 7-1 in the ACC. Stanford fell to 24-5 overall and 8-3 in the ACC.

This victory secured a series win for the Hokies with Game 3 at noon on Sunday, but the win wasn't possible without the triple play. If Blackwell doesn't make the catch on the dive, two runs score, and Stanford has a runner on second with nobody out and a 7-3 lead. Instead, the play gave Virginia Tech momentum and the top of the lineup came through, just like they have all season long.