Virginia Tech lost to Louisiana State University, 8-0, in the Winners Bracket of the Baton Rouge Regional on May 16 at Tiger Park.
The defeat means Virginia Tech will next play against the winner of Akron and South Alabama later that evening. The game was scoreless after the first inning, with Annika Rohs making an unassisted double play for Virginia Tech to end an early threat from LSU.
LSU took a 3-0 lead in the second inning by capitalizing on four walks by Emma Mazzarone. A two-run home run and a sacrifice fly contributed to their advantage, though Nora Abromavage caught a ball at the warning track to prevent further runs. Avery Layton replaced Mazzarone as pitcher during the second inning and kept LSU from scoring until a run-scoring double in the fourth increased their lead to four runs.
Addison Foster made another notable catch at the warning track in the fifth inning, holding LSU’s lead at four runs. However, LSU scored four more times in the sixth inning through two RBI singles, a fielding error, and another sacrifice fly. The game ended after six innings due to run-rule regulations.
According to team notes provided after the game, this was Virginia Tech’s first shutout loss of the season and its first shutout defeat in an NCAA Regional round since losing 12-0 against Tennessee on May 17, 2014. The team was outhit for only the sixth time this year. Emma Mazzarone now has a record of 16 wins and six losses for this season while Avery Layton pitched over four innings with two strikeouts.
Virginia Tech is scheduled to face either Akron or South Alabama at Tiger Park later that day.
