Virginia Tech’s softball team defeated NC State 10-0 in its home opener on March 20, securing a run-rule victory at Tech Softball Park.
The win marks an important start to the Hokies’ home schedule and continues their strong performance this season. The game ended after five innings due to the run-rule, which is applied when a team leads by a large margin.
Kylie Aldridge and Jordan Lynch played key roles in the victory, combining for four hits and eight runs batted in. Addison Foster began the scoring with a double, followed by Zoe Yaeger who also doubled to bring Foster home. In the second inning, Lynch hit a bases-clearing double that extended Virginia Tech’s lead to 4-0. The third inning saw five more runs for the Hokies, including RBIs from Aldridge, Rachel Castine, and another two from Lynch with her triple down the right field line. Aldridge added a solo home run in the fourth inning.
Pitcher Emma Mazzarone earned her seventh win of the season by allowing only two hits and striking out eight batters over five innings. The Hokies improved their all-time record against NC State to 31 wins and 23 losses. This was Virginia Tech’s tenth run-rule win of the year and fifth shutout. The team has now recorded double-digit hits in nineteen games this season and remains undefeated when scoring ten or more runs.
Aldridge, Foster, Lynch, and Yaeger each had two hits during the game. Aldridge hit her second home run of the season while Lynch achieved a career-high five RBIs.
Virginia Tech (26-4 overall, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will continue its series against NC State (19-11 overall, 1-3 ACC) on Saturday, March 21 at Tech Softball Park. The game is scheduled for broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
