The Virginia Tech softball team concludes their home season this weekend with a series against their interstate rivals, the University of Virginia Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers have an overall record of 18-30, a 7 -10 conference mark, and an RPI of #126. The series starts with a single game Friday night game followed by a Saturday doubleheader at noon. All three games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN3.

Although the Cavs have struggled overall in the conference, things have been looking up recently as UVA has won their last two conference series, at home versus North Carolina and at Georgia Tech.

On the VT side, the Hokies have an overall record of 25-27, an ACC record of 10-11, and an RPI of 41. Conference play has not been kind to the Hokies recently, having lost 9 of their last 10 ACC games. In fairness, however, it should be pointed out that 8 of those losses were to teams that would seem to be NCAA locks: Louisville, Notre Dame, and Florida State. Still, it’s been a disappointing home stretch after some early conference success.

Offensively, the two teams are closely matched. UVA leads VT in team batting average .262 to .253, in hits, 337 to 325, and in runs per game 4.38 to 3.96. The Wahoos would also seem to have a bit more power, having hit 47 homeruns versus 34 for VT. They are also more likely to steal a base, with 56 thefts compared to 30 for the Hokies.

Junior Katie Park leads the Wahoos offensively with a .309 batting average followed by junior Kaitlin Fitzgerald with a .299 average. Park and junior Madison Labshere are tied for the Wahoo HR lead with 7 each.

On the Hokies side, freshman Lauren Duff continues to lead the Hokies with a .348 average followed by freshman Emma Strouth at .309 and freshman Caitlyn Nolan at .296. Freshman Olivia Lattin leads the Hokies with 7 homeruns.

On the pitching side, both teams have a primary workhorse that carries the load, and the pitching statistics seem to favor the Hokies.

For the Wahoos, freshman Erika Osherow (13-19) has pitched 200.1 innings, striking out 118 with a 2.90 ERA. Freshman Lacy Smith (3-8) has pitched 80 innings, striking out 45 with a 5.60 ERA.

For the Hokies, Maggie Tyler (19-17) has been incredible in carrying the Hokies this year, striking out 222 batters in 212 innings while compiling a 2.54 ERA. Mikaela Aiken and Chelsea Whitcomb have had their moments this season, but neither has given VT the consistent second pitcher that is invaluable.

All games in all sports against the Hoos are important and this series is no different. The Hokies NCAA hopes are hanging by the thinnest of threads and a sweep is the only possible way to keep that thread from breaking. It will take a complete team effort, however, as the Hoos have gotten better as the season has progressed.

I should also point out that the Hokies will have a secret weapon on Saturday. Ms. VT Chip and I won a Celebration of Women’s Sports Auction to be honorary coaches for Saturday’s first game. It should be fun regardless, but I don’t want a blemish on my spotless coaching record.

So, more than ever...…LET’S GO HOKIES!!!!