Virginia Tech softball: Hokies come up short vs. Florida State in ACC Championship

What a week it was for Virginia Tech’s pitching staff. After allowing only one run in back-to-back wins over Virginia and Duke in the ACC softball tournament, the Hokies faced top-seeded Florida State on Saturday. Virginia Tech’s pitching was outstanding again, holding the Seminoles to just two runs, but, couldn’t get the bats going before falling 2-1.

Things started out promising for the Hokies, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, when Michelle Chatfield singled to bring Jordan Lynch home. Emma Mazzarone pitched for the third straight day and got off to a fast start, striking out the side in the bottom of the first. The Seminoles took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Kennedy Harp doubled, bringing two runners home, making it 2-1.

Unfortunately, that’s all the Noles would need. Freshman Avery Layton replaced Mazzarone in the third inning and was terrific. In seven innings pitched, Mazzarone and Layton combined to hold Florida State to only three hits.

The Hokies had a big chance in the sixth, loading the bases, but were unable to score. Through three games in the ACC Tournament, Virginia Tech’s pitching allowed only three combined runs. Unfortunately, Tech’s bats were quieter than normal.