Castine, Lynch homer in 12-1 win over SyracuseCastine, Lynch homer in 12-1 win over Syracuse
Meg Kelly
Softball

Castine, Lynch homer in 12-1 win over Syracuse

Tech scored 12 runs off 11 hits

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Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 13/17 Virginia Tech (42-9, 16-6 ACC) defeated Syracuse (18-24, 4-16 ACC) in the series opener on Friday, 12-1 (5 inn.)

The Hokies’ offense exploded for 12 runs off 11 hits with two three-run home runs, while Bree Carrico and Avery Layton allowed just three hits.

How It Happened
The Hokies got started early with two runs in the top of the first. After Addison Foster reached on an error and Jordan Lynch walked, Nora Abromavage ripped an RBI double to left field to bring Foster home. Michelle Chatfield followed it up with a sacrifice fly to bring home Lynch.

Syracuse threatened in the bottom of the first after two singles and a walk loaded the bases, but Bree Carrico forced a fly out to center to end the inning.

Tech scored three more runs in the top of the second to take a commanding 5-0 lead. With runners on second and third, Lynch hit her 16th home run of the season to deep left field to extend the lead.

The Hokies struck once again in the top of the third. With Hokie runners once again on second and third with two outs, Foster doubled to left center to bring them both home and make it a 7-0 game.

Syracuse got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the third, but once again the Hokies responded immediately. With two runners on in the top of the fourth, Rachel Castine launched her 12th home run of the season to left center to make it a 10-1 advantage.

Chatfield delivered a two-RBI single in the top of the fifth to bring the score to 12-1.

Syracuse got a base runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but back-to-back strikeouts from Avery Layton and a groundout secured the 12-1 run-rule win.

Tech’s pitchers were stellar in the circle. Carrico threw 3.0 innings and allowed just three hits before Layton came in with 2.0 innings of relief. The duo combined for five strikeouts. 

Game Notes
• Tech is now 18-16 in all-time matchups against Syracuse
• Tech earned its 17th run-rule win of the year
• Tech has scored 10 or more runs 18 times
• Tech has outhit its opponent in 46 of 51 games played
• Seven of Tech’s 12 RBIs came with two outs
• Tech broke the single-season record with its 20th sacrifice fly in today’s win
• Tech also eclipsed 500 hits (510) and is nine hits away from a new single-season record
• Jordan Lynch hit her 16th home run of the season – tied for the team lead with Nora Abromavage
• Rachel Castine hit her 12th home run of the season
• Castine, Lynch and Michelle Chatfield all tallied three RBIs
• Bree Carrico improved to 13-1 in the circle

Up Next
No. 13/17 Virginia Tech (42-9, 16-6 ACC) continues the series at Syracuse (18-24, 4-16 ACC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Syracuse, N.Y. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra.