It's hard to believe, but the college softball season end is just a month away. Virginia Tech entered this weekend ranked No. 12 and hosting Notre Dame and couldn't afford to slip as they are locked in a tight race with Florida State for the top spot in the standings.
This weekend, the Seminoles took care of business on the West Coast, sweeping California, and the Hokies took care of business at Tech Softball Park by sweeping the Irish. The Hokies and FSU remained tied at the top of the standings in conference play at 14-1. Virginia Tech has won 17 games in a row with the sweep of the Irish.
After sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday by scores of 5-0 and 12-4, Virginia Tech made sure that they put Notre Dame away with an eight-run first inning that set the tone for a run-rule victory. Cori McMillan got things rolling for Tech with a solo home run leading off the bottom of the first. That was just the beginning.
Two runs later on passed balls, RBI singles from Kylie Aldridge and Michelle Chatfield sandwiched around a three-run Trinity Martin blast made it 8-0. Notre Dame plated a run in the top of the third before the Hokies scored seven more.
Bre Peck had a two-run single, and Aldrigde added an RBI single for an 11-1 lead. Zoe Yaeger launched a three-run home run and Martin's second home run of the game, this one a solo blast, msde it 15-1 and the rout was on.
Sophie Kleiman was the beneficiary of all the runs, working four innings, scattering three hits, allowing one run, walking two, and fanning three. Cassie Grizzard worked the fifth inning for Tech. The Hokies will head to Pittsburgh for a three-game series next weekend, beginning Thursday night. Game 2 will be Friday night, and Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.