SYRACUSE, NY –Junior Cori McMillan broke the program’s single-season home run record with her 20th homer of the season. The home run came at the right time as it gave the Hokies the lead in the eighth inning to then lead them to victory.
Freshman Emma Mazzarone dominated on Saturday, fanning nine Syracuse hitters over six innings of work to help propel the No. 13/15 Virginia Tech Hokies past the Orange 7-3.
In addition to his nine strikeouts, Mazzarone went six innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on three hits and walking two for Virginia Tech (38-10-1, 18-5). Sophomore Lyndsey Grein (12-3) also made an impact in the circle for the Hokies, throwing two shutout innings while allowing one hit, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Offensively, the Hokies were paced by junior Cori McMillan, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Senior Addy Greene furnished a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Senior Emma Ritter also chipped in for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. McMillan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech and get them on the board.
The Hokies lost the lead they built in the second, but got back on the board in the sixth trailing 2-1. Virginia Tech scored twice on back-to-back home runs from Ritter and Greene, which brought the Hokies lead to 3-2.
Syracuse clawed back to even the ballgame at three before Virginia Tech reclaimed a 7-3 advantage in the eighth inning. The Hokies bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a three-run home run off the bat of McMillan. The score remained 7-3 for the rest of the game, as Virginia Tech coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Mazzarone struck out nine Orange hitters.
» The Virginia Tech pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Syracuse hitters.
» Virginia Tech’s highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit three homers in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Orange at a 7-4 clip.
» McMillan stole two bases in Saturday’s game.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 33 Syracuse hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and two fly balls while striking out 13.
» McMillan led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI.
» Syracuse was led offensively by freshman Madelyn Lopez, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
» Sophomore Madison Knight led the Orange pitching staff, throwing eight innings of seven-run ball.
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