Bucs softball lose double header to Virginia Tech

On March 21, the East Tennessee State University softball team put their four-game winning streak on the line against Virginia Tech on the road.

Bucs head coach Brad Irwin had goals for the Bucs going into the game.

“We want to keep the momentum from last weekend and keep runners on base,” Irwin said. “We want to keep making plays and stay ahead of the pitch count.”

The Bucs lost both games to Virginia Tech, dropping their record to 12-16.

After a scoreless first inning, Breanna Davenport hit a home run to give Virginia Tech a 1-0 lead. With two runners on base and only one out, Virginia Tech got a double to bring two runners in.

After a scoreless two innings, the Bucs trailed 3-0. In the third with two outs and two runners on base, Kelsey Chernak (Ooltewah, Tenn.) scored on a wild pitch to bring their deficit to 3-1.

Taylor Carter (Brazil, Ind.) singled up the middle to bring a run in. The Bucs went into the fourth inning down 3-2.

Virginia Tech scored in the fifth inning on a double, down the right field line to bring a run in. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bucs trailed 4-2.

The Bucs lost game one of the doubleheader 4-2, dropping their record to 12-15 on the season. Pitcher Madison Ogle (Maryville, Tenn.) struggled for the Bucs only throwing three strikes in six innings. Of the 105 pitches, she threw 63 strikes.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Bucs started pitcher Tiffany Laughren (Erwin, Tenn.).

After a scoreless first inning, the Bucs got on the scoreboard first. With two runners on base, Kylie Toler (Bradenton, Fla.) doubled to left field to give the Bucs a 1-0 lead. The Bucs scored in the third inning when Mykeah Johnson (Cohutta, Ga) homered to right field to increase the Buccaneer lead to 2-0.

Virginia Tech responded with a big third inning, scoring four runs. After three innings the Bucs trailed 4-2 and their offense didn’t slow down. In the fifth inning, Virginia Tech got two more runs after a home run to give them a 6-2 lead.

The Bucs responded when Taylor Carter singled up the middle to bring in a run that brought the Buccaneer deficit to 6-3. Virginia Tech continued to score as they scored three runs in the sixth inning to give them a 9-3 lead.

In the seventh, the offense picked up for the Bucs when Nikki Grupp (Jacksonville, Fla.) doubled down the left field line bringing in two runs to bring the deficit to 9-5.

Danielle Knoetze (San Diego, Calif.) hit a home run to bring in a run, but the Bucs fell 9-7 to put their record at 12-16.