Despite winning 12 of their last 13 games, including a five-game win streak, Boston College softball’s momentum was stilled after a weekend series against Virginia Tech. Unlike in their previous stretch of games, the Eagles could not sync their offense with their pitching, and were unable to avoid big, game-changing innings from the Hokies. BC (17-12, 3-3 Atlantic Coast) fell in all three games to Virginia Tech (14-14, 9-2).
While BC played two close games against a talented Hokie team on Sunday, the weekend ended on a low note for the Eagles, as they were defeated 11-3 in five innings. Virginia Tech scored early and often, plating four runs in the second inning off an RBI single and a three-run home run. BC starter Allyson Frei was chased after the second inning, but the aggressive offense of Virginia Tech could not be contained. They added another four runs in the third inning, the result of three singles and a fielder’s choice.
The Eagles got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Carly Severini hit an RBI groundout that scored sophomore Chloe Sharabba, and later in the inning senior Megan Cooley hit a double down the left field line that scored freshman Loren DiEmmanuele. BC could not slow down the Hokies, however, and Virginia Tech added three more runs on another three-run home run to centerfield. The Eagles picked up one run in the top of the fifth on a groundout from sophomore Jordan Chimento that scored senior Tatiana Cortez, but it was not enough to avoid an early end to the game.
The first game of the Sunday doubleheader was a back-and-forth affair that Virginia Tech ultimately won 8-7. The Eagles drew blood first as Cooley scored on a sacrifice fly by Sharabba in the top of the first inning. The Hokies immediately struck back in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three on a pair of hits and a passed ball.
BC tied the game in the top of the second as the Virginia Tech pitcher lost control briefly and threw two wild pitches. Severini then singled to the shortstop, scoring DiEmmanuele. In the top of the third, Cortez hit a solo homerun to centerfield, and in the top of the fourth BC stretched out its lead even further to 6-3 as the Hokies walked in a run.
This lead was short-lived, as the Hokies exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth, taking the lead back for good. BC relief pitcher Jessica Dreswick walked in a run, which was followed by a double to left field that scored two Hokies. Virginia Tech then hit another double to left field that scored two more runs before the Eagles finally secured the third out in the inning.
The Eagles went into their last at-bat down 8-6, but did not go down without a fight. Cortez got on base for the third time of the game, and was driven in on a double by Annie Murphy to bring the Eagles within one run. Despite the two losses, there were still offensive highlights for the Eagles on the day. Cortez finished the day 5-6 with one home run, two doubles, one RBI, and four runs scored, and DiEmmanuele picked up her team-leading 13th stolen base of the season.
The first game of the Virginia Tech series saw BC fall 4-0, ending the Eagles’ five-game win streak. This was the 14th consecutive opponent that BC held to four runs or less. Frei’s relief appearance continued her streak of seven straight games allowing only one run or fewer.
This game saw strong pitching from both the Hokies and BC starter Dreswick, as neither teams could get their offenses going in the early innings. Virginia Tech starter Maggie Tyler held the Eagles hitless throughout all seven innings, only allowing one baserunner on a walk. Dreswick kept the Hokies off of the scoreboard as well until the fourth inning, when Virginia Tech hit a two-run home run to start the scoring. An unearned run also scored in the fourth off of a throwing error. In the bottom of the fifth the Hokies added another run from an RBI double, which was all the scoring they would need.
The Eagles have a short stretch of games before they return to conference play in which they will need to be strong in pitching, defense, and offense in order to remain competitive.
