Virginia Tech’s softball team defeated NC State 11-3 in a run-rule victory on March 21, securing the series win and marking head coach Pete D’Amour’s 300th career win at the university.
The game was notable for both the milestone achieved by D’Amour and the strong performance by several Hokies players. The result matters as it highlights Virginia Tech’s continued success this season and their dominance over NC State, improving their all-time record against the Wolfpack to 31-23.
Seven Hokies recorded hits during the game, with four players driving in runs. Pitcher Bree Carrico allowed just one hit and struck out six batters over six innings. Rachel Castine led the offense, hitting two home runs and collecting four RBIs while going three-for-three at the plate. “Castine went a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with a team-high four RBIs,” according to the team report.
NC State took an early lead in the first inning before Carrico entered to pitch for Virginia Tech. She managed to escape a bases-loaded situation with two strikeouts and a groundout. The Hokies responded quickly, tying the game in their half of the first inning after key hits from Addison Foster and Nora Abromavage.
Virginia Tech took control in subsequent innings, highlighted by Castine’s solo home run in the second inning and another home run to end the game in walk-off fashion in the sixth. Additional contributions came from Zoe Yaeger, who delivered a two-RBI single during a four-run fourth inning.
The victory marks Virginia Tech’s eleventh run-rule win of the year and their twentieth game with double-digit hits this season. The team currently has seven batters hitting above .370, while Carrico improved her record to 7-0 with a team-best earned run average of 1.45.
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech (27-4, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will face NC State (19-12, 1-4 ACC) again on Sunday, March 22 at noon at Tech Softball Park. The series finale will be televised on ACC Network Extra.
