SALEM — Virginia Tech softball makes winning look easy, though it is not. The No. 11 Hokies converted five runs in the first inning on Friday against Michigan for a 5-3 win at the Moyer Sports Complex, knocking off the 2025 Big Ten champion.
“I told the team, [Michigan is] a two seed in a regional, maybe a one seed,” Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour said. “We punched them in the mouth, they punched us back and we didn’t fall. It was good.”
Tech’s first eight batters reached base in the opening inning, building its lead that proved insurmountable. Leadoff batter and first baseman Michelle Chatfield walked, then designated player Kylie Aldridge grounded into a fielder’s choice — meaning Chatfield was out at second base but Aldridge touched first. Six consecutive batters then followed to avoid outs and expand the Hokies’ lead to five.
Virginia Tech catcher Zoe Yaeger walked, then left fielder Nora Abromavage singled home Aldridge. Third baseman Jordan Lynch knocked a single of her own and advanced to second, helping Abromavage touch third and Yaeger cross home plate. To clear the bases, center fielder Addison Foster tripled into center field to make the score 4-0. Finally, right fielder Gaby Mizelle notched Tech’s fourth hit of the frame to score Foster.
Soon after, though, Michigan (18-6) quieted the Hokies’ (17-2) bats. Wolverines head coach Bonnie Tholl subbed out starter Kat Meyers in favor of Erin Hoehn. And Hoehn dealt, finishing the last 5 ⅔ innings of the game and allowing just one hit with five strikeouts.
“She had more movement than what it looked like,” D’Amour said. “She was throwing lower in the strike zone, but the ball was moving still. It’s rare to see pitches that move like that move as much in the strike zone.”
Still, the damage was done. Virginia Tech only had nine at-bats with runners on base, but it finished with five hits in those situations. Make that 4-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
“We’ve been swinging well all year,” D’Amour said. “We’re hitting [.361] with [29] bombs. So, we’re a good hitting team, and when we get pitches to hit, we’re trying to hit them. Just a continuation of what we’ve been doing.”
Emma Mazzarone tossed the first five-plus innings for the Hokies and allowed seven hits and two walks, but limited Michigan to three runs while striking out seven. Two of the runs she surrendered came in the second inning when Hoehn — who entered the lineup when she took the circle — sent a changeup over the left-field fence.
“I just missed my spot, so I was just kind of doing my thing and throwing my pitch and trying not to throw it there again,” Mazzarone said.
Mazzarone, however, remained poised. Her two walks came against back-to-back hitters in the fifth. Then, after a meeting in the circle with pitching coach Josh Johnson, she forced a groundout to Tech shortstop Annika Rohs to prevent any damage.
“[Johnson] said calm down,” Mazzarone said. “It’s towards the end of the game, so I was getting a little tired. [He said] stay on top of things and stay in the strike zone.”
Bree Carrico entered the game after the Wolverines notched two singles off Mazzarone to start the sixth inning. She walked a couple batters and allowed a run to score, which was charged to Mazzarone, but needed just 35 pitches to end the game and pick up her third save of the season.
“All of our pitchers have the ability to get outs,” D’Amour said. “[Carrico] comes in and throws strikes and we’re confident behind her — so the more arms you can show, the better.”
More softball awaits in Salem this weekend, with the backdrop of picturesque, sunny conditions. The first of the Hokies’ next four games this weekend comes against James Madison on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
Box Score: No. 11 Virginia Tech 5, Michigan 3