Rachel Castine and Virginia Tech surged past Stanford in the sixth inning on Saturday. (Virginia Tech athletics)

No. 12 Virginia Tech softball notched five runs in the sixth inning to secure an 8-7 comeback win over No. 16 Stanford on Saturday.

In the first-ever matchup between the programs, the Hokies (27-5, 7-1 ACC) won the first two games — which started with Friday’s 4-3 victory — to clinch the series against the Cardinal (24-5, 8-3).

Down by two entering the sixth frame of the second contest, designated player Kylie Aldridge knocked a leadoff single for Tech. After the next two batters got out, pinch hitter Jayden Jones walked, then right fielder Cori McMillan hit a double to tie the game. One at-bat later, first baseman Michelle Chatfield singled in McMillan. That was followed by second baseman Rachel Castine’s two-run homer down the left field line to grab a three-run advantage.

Castine’s tank was her third of the season. She has batted in four runs in her last three games, dating back to March 19 against Longwood.

Tech scored most of its runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the rally started in the top of the frame. Cardinal shortstop River Mahler and first baseman Joie Economides both singled to start the frame, putting runners on first and second with no outs. 

Then, third baseman Jade Berry smacked a line drive into left center field. Hokies left fielder Lyla Blackwell sprinted to her left and dove parallel to the ground to make the catch. She stood up, hurled the ball to Castine to beat the runner at second base, who rocketed the ball to Michelle Chatfield at first ahead of the runner.

The triple play was Virginia Tech’s first in program history. It was No. 1 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays on Saturday night, too.

“I just felt like I got a good jump on it,” Blackwell told Tech Sideline. “... There was nothing in my mind. I was just like, ‘I want this so bad.’  Then, I was just as surprised as everyone else that I caught it. I got up and looked at my glove and was like, ‘Uh, I have it.’”

Tech opened the game with a three-run frame. Though Stanford starter Alyssa Houston retired the first two batters, she surrendered a double and a walk while hitting two batters to score Castine. For good measure, catcher Zoe Yaeger singled, bringing around third baseman Jordan Lynch and center fielder Bre Peck.

The Cardinal put up a fight in the fourth and fifth frames. In the fourth, Mahler hit a solo shot that reached the scoreboard. The fifth brought four more runs; pitcher Kylie Chung knocked a two-run single, then second baseman Taryn Kern blasted a two-run homer.

Emma Mazzarone tossed the first five frames for the Hokies, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out four. Of her 69 pitches, 48 were strikes. Mazzarone last played on March 19 against Longwood, when she left after sustaining a leg injury while batting.

Sophie Kleiman threw the sixth inning and gave up the two singles before the triple play.

Emma Lemley took the circle for the last inning and earned the save, though Stanford notched two runs. She gave up a one-out walk and a single, allowing Chung to double around two runs.

McMillan, Castine and Yaeger each finished with two RBI each — all with two outs. McMillan’s effort followed an 0-for-2 effort the night before.

“After yesterday, I knew I was probably trying too hard. I wanted to make too much stuff happen at once in one swing, and I knew I needed to slow myself down, which I tried to do this game,” McMillan said. “Once I was put in the moment that I could tie it up, I put full faith in Coach Pete [D’Amour] and what he does with me and my pitch selection. I was just trying to put the ball in play.”

Tech will have an opportunity to sweep Stanford on Sunday at noon ET at Tech Softball Park.

Box Score: No. 12 Virginia Tech 8, No. 16 Stanford 7