BLACKSBURG – In a back-and-forth affair, the No. 24/19 Virginia Tech softball team fell short 7-5 to Louisville on Friday at Tech Softball Park.
The game featured three ties and three lead changes, but the Cardinals (22-10, 4-3 ACC) got a go-ahead triple in the top of the sixth to take a two-run lead it would not relent, snapping the Hokies' (28-5, 8-2) 11-game win streak.
Tech was paced by outfielder Emma Strouth and third baseman Kelsey Bennett, with both getting a team-high two hits on the night, including a two-run home run by Bennett. Carrie Eberle (17-2) picked up just her second loss in the circle this season, finishing with six strikeouts and 125 pitches.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cards jumped on the scoreboard early, plating three runs in the top of the first. But Tech answered with a run of its own in the bottom half, with designated player Grace Chavez getting an RBI single up the middle, scoring outfielder Darby Trull.
In the bottom of the third, Strouth singled to right on a 1-0 count and then on a 1-0 count as well, Bennett got her hit, a two-run shot to left field to tie up the game at 3-all.
Taking the lead for the first time, the Hokies got their fourth run on the board thanks to an RBI single to left from catcher Mackenzie Lawter in the fourth. She scored pinch runner Kinsey Johnson, who was in for first baseman Meredith Slaw after her double to center.
But UofL followed with two runs in the top of the fifth, taking the lead at 5-4. The Hokies would respond, though, getting one more run to tie up at 5-5 after an RBI double to right by shortstop Caitlyn Nolan, scoring pinch runner Cana Davis, who was in for Bennett after her single up the middle.
With game locked at 5-all, Louisville plated two more in the top of the sixth, taking the lead for good.
NOTES
- The 11-game winning streak was Tech's longest of the season, topping the previous high of nine, which was set to open the season from Feb. 8-Feb. 22.
- Bennett hit her 10th home run of the season, making her now tied for first on the team with Nolan for homers.
- Nolan and Slaw both finished with doubles, while Bennett's shot gave Tech three extra-base hits on the night.
- Chavez's single up the middle extends her hitting streak to nine games, the best on the team currently.
UP NEXT
- The Hokies will be back on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET for Game 2 of their three-game series with Louisville. The game will be broadcast on WatchESPN.Gallery: (3/29/2019) 2019 SOFTBALL vs. LOUISVILLE FRIDAY
