Bre Peck's 49th career home run put Virginia Tech up early at NC State on Saturday. (Virginia Tech athletics)

Bre Peck went 18 games without a home run.

Though she kept her average at a strong .340 rate throughout the season, she went since February 28 without clearing the fence. That changed during No. 11 Virginia Tech’s 3-0 win over NC State on Saturday in Raleigh.

In the fourth inning, the senior from Pennsylvania sent the second pitch she saw over the left center field fence — good for her squad’s first hit and runs scored of the day.

“It’s a big thing to just keep working on it, on getting out of that slump, knowing that it’s not gonna last forever,” Peck told Tech Sideline. “I think I just keep that in mind and just keep doing what I know how to do.”

Not only did Peck’s knock give the Hokies (30-5, 10-1 ACC) a 2-0 advantage over the Wolfpack (21-18, 4-10), it inched her closer to history. The homer was the 49th of her career, bringing her within one of Megan Evans’s program record for home runs in a career, set between 2002 and 2005.

Starting pitcher Emma Mazzarone took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of her complete game effort, in which she collected six strikeouts and allowed just two hits and two walks. She was efficient, tossing 55 of her 87 throws in the strike zone, and gave up very little to NC State’s offense.

Mazzarone was not the only effective arm in the circle. Two Wolfpack pitchers — Carly Maxton and Wynne Gore — limited the Hokies to three runs after they granted 10 the day before. Maxton went the first 3 ⅓ innings, lasting through Peck’s tank and a walk to second baseman Jordan Lynch. She gave up just one hit — the home run — and obtained two strikeouts. Gore then threw the remaining 3 ⅔ frames, allowing one run on two hits.

NC State’s more substantial problem was its lack of offense. It finished with an 0-for-9 rate hitting with runners on base. Mazzarone limited its hitters to two singles and two walks.

The Hokies had less offensive efficiency than the day before; they hit just 2-for-12 with runners on base, including 0-for-2 with them in scoring position. On the other hand, they didn’t need as much of it. Mazzarone kept the Wolfpack at bay, while Peck’s home run and an RBI fielder’s choice from shortstop Rachel Castine provided all the offense necessary.

Multiple players missed the game due to food poisoning, forcing Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour shuffled the lineup. Typical shortstop Annika Rohs did not play, so he moved Castine — who played shortstop in years prior but moved to second base in 2025 — to the left. Jordan Lynch moved from third base to second base, and Peck took Lynch’s spot. Nora Abromavage made her first career start in left field after playing in 19 games as a pinch hitter or pinch runner.

“Everyone is versatile and you can put anyone anywhere,” Peck said. “You can still work as a team, even when you have to switch things up.”

Tech’s performance on Saturday was impressive in a different way than the day before.  It was the Hokies’ 12th consecutive win, and forced them to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances on a whim.

“Today was arguably a better effort than last night,” D’Amour said. “We had some kids playing different positions and it didn’t bother them. We got another stellar outing from Maz too. We’ll get some good sleep tonight and reset tomorrow.”

Virginia Tech will search for its 13th consecutive victory — and third consecutive conference sweep — in Raleigh on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Box Score: No. 11 Virginia Tech 3, NC State 0