The Virginia Tech Hokies advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship game with a 5-0 victory over the Duke Blue Devils on May 8. The win came after four different Hokies players hit home runs, and pitchers Bree Carrico and Emma Mazzarone combined for a shutout, marking the first time this season that Duke has been held scoreless.
The result is significant as it propels Virginia Tech into its first ACC title game since 2012 and marks the team’s first appearance in the championship under head coach Pete D’Amour. The Hokies improved their record in the ACC Tournament to 24-19 and now hold an all-time record of 11-10 against Duke.
Michelle Chatfield opened scoring for Virginia Tech with a solo home run in the first inning, followed by Nora Abromavage’s team-leading eighteenth homer of the season in the second. Rachel Castine added another solo shot in the sixth inning, while Kylie Aldridge hit a two-run home run in the seventh, which was also her tenth of the season and marked her one hundred fiftieth career hit. “Tech advances to the ACC Championship game for the first time under head coach Pete D’Amour,” according to Virginia Tech.
Carrico struck out four batters before Mazzarone entered in relief during a critical moment in the sixth inning when Duke loaded the bases but failed to score. Mazzarone finished strong by striking out three batters in her final inning of work.
The Hokies’ offense outhit their opponent for forty-nine out of fifty-five games played this season. This was also only their second time hitting four home runs in an ACC Championship game, previously achieving this feat against Louisville in 2023.
Virginia Tech will face Florida State next on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN.
