Columbia, S.C. — Dominant performances in the circle powered No. 21 Virginia Tech to a perfect showing on the second day of the Gamecock Invitational, as the Hokies picked up a pair of victories with a 4–1 win over Binghamton and a 1–0 shutout of Winthrop.
Bree Carrico, Sophie Kleiman, and Avery Layton combined to anchor the pitching staff, surrendering just one run across both games while striking out 16 batters.
Virginia Tech 4, Binghamton 1
Virginia Tech jumped out in front immediately when Addison Foster opened the game with a leadoff home run to right field, giving the Hokies an early advantage. Binghamton answered in the bottom of the first, tying the game on a wild pitch, but Tech reclaimed the lead for good in the fourth inning.
Emma Mazzarone delivered the go-ahead run with a solo home run to left field, her first of the season. The Hokies then created separation in the top of the fifth when Zoe Yaeger lined a two-run double into center field to push the lead to 4–1.
Binghamton mounted a threat in the bottom half of the inning by loading the bases, but Virginia Tech’s defense came through as Annika Rohs and Rachel Castine turned a clutch double play to escape the jam.
In the circle, Sophie Kleiman and Bree Carrico held the Bearcats in check, combining to strike out seven while limiting Binghamton to four hits. Carrico secured the first save of her career, while Kleiman picked up her first win of the season.
Virginia Tech 1, Winthrop 0
The Hokies manufactured the game’s only run in the early innings against Winthrop. Gaby Mizelle reached base following an error and advanced into scoring position with a stolen base before Nora Abromavage drove her home with an RBI double to left-center field.
That lone run proved sufficient thanks to a standout performance from freshman Avery Layton. Making her collegiate debut, Layton was lights-out, tossing a complete-game shutout while striking out nine and allowing just two hits to earn her first career victory.
Notes
Virginia Tech opened the season 3–0 for the eighth consecutive year
Addison Foster hit her first home run as a Hokie
Emma Mazzarone recorded the 15th home run of her career
Michelle Chatfield paced the offense, going 4-for-6 on the day
Bree Carrico earned her first career save against Binghamton
Sophie Kleiman collected her first win of the season
Avery Layton recorded nine strikeouts in her collegiate debut and earned her first career win
Up Next:
Virginia Tech (3–0) continues action at the Gamecock Invitational on Friday with a rematch against Binghamton at 12:30 p.m., followed by a matchup with No. 19 South Carolina at 5:30 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.
