Michelle Chatfield set a new program record with nine runs batted in as the No. 13/16 Virginia Tech Hokies defeated North Carolina 14-5 in five innings on April 25 at Tech Softball Park.
The game was notable for Chatfield’s offensive performance, which included three home runs and four hits, tying other school records. Her efforts helped the Hokies secure their 40th win of the season, marking only the fourth time in five years that they have reached this milestone.
North Carolina started strong with a three-run lead after a bases-clearing double in the first inning. A two-hour rain delay followed before Avery Layton entered as pitcher and recorded consecutive strikeouts to end the threat. Virginia Tech responded immediately, scoring three runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Chatfield and a two-RBI double by Zoe Yaeger.
After North Carolina regained a brief lead due to an error by Virginia Tech, Chatfield hit her third career grand slam to left center field, putting her team ahead again at 7-5. She continued her impressive showing with another home run—a three-run shot—in the third inning and then led off the fifth with her third homer of the day for her ninth RBI.
Nora Abromavage added a solo home run—her team-leading sixteenth of the season—and Gaby Mizelle ended the game with a walk-off two-run homer for Virginia Tech’s sixteenth run-rule victory this year. Pitcher Avery Layton threw five innings and recorded four strikeouts while improving her season record to eight wins and two losses.
All nine players in Virginia Tech’s starting lineup registered at least one hit during this game. The Hokies outhit their opponent for the forty-fourth time out of forty-nine games this season and scored ten or more runs for seventeenth time.
Virginia Tech will conclude its series against North Carolina on Sunday at noon at Tech Softball Park.
