No. 15 Virginia Tech knocks off Marshall to win their 11th straight game

Junior right-fielder Cori McMillan helped Virginia Tech recover after conceding five runs in the top of the second inning, going 4-4 from the plate including two home runs, driving in four runs to give Virginia Tech a 9-7 victory

April 24, 2024

By: Miles Jordan

BLACKSBURG, Va. - - In a thrilling match on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Virginia Tech Hokies (37-9-1) emerged victorious over the Marshall Thundering Herd (21-24) with a score of 9-7 at full-time.

This win not only marked the completion of their five-game home stand but also sealed their 11th consecutive victory, a testament to their unwavering spirit and determination. Junior right-fielder Cori McMillan helped lead the Hokies to their 11th straight victory, recording a hit in all four of her at-bats, including two home runs and four RBIs. Her first home run was a two-run homer at the bottom of the 2nd inning, which allowed the Hokies to regain a 6-5 lead over the Herd, sending Addy Greene to home plate.

“We knew that if Mazzarone needed help, someone was going in.” said Grein when asked about her appearance as relief pitcher rather than starting, “Mazzarone is an amazing pitcher, and I know one day it will be roles reversed someday, too, it's just cool knowing we can have each other's backs because she is a phenomenal athlete… its fun to have two names on a game.”

Virginia Tech travels to Syracuse, New York, to take on the Orange in a three-game road series starting Friday, April 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EST, where they hope to add to their 11-game win streak and improve their record in the ACC, as they prepare for the ACC Softball Championship beginning Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Durham, North Carolina.

Blacksburg, VA- April 24, 2024- Virginia Tech Softball Park- Hokies right fielder Cori McMillan hits a 2RBI home run to capture her 17th home run of the season- Photo Shot By: Miles Jordan

“I was looking first pitch, anything close honestly, and they were just putting it where I liked it,” said McMillan when asked about what she saw on both home-run pitches. “Honestly, in our opinion, we are just heating up, and that's good going into this weekend.”

However, McMillan wasn't finished, recording her second home run at the bottom of the 5th inning, soloing to improve the Hokies' lead to 9-6. McMillan totaled four of the Hokies' nine runs and, with those two home runs, has now recorded 18 home runs on the season, now sitting one behind freshman first-baseman Michelle Chatfield, who has tallied 19 home runs this season.

While the Hokies were phenomenal at the plate, pitcher Lindsey Grein, who typically starts for Virginia Tech, relieved Emma Mazzarone at the top of the fourth inning, recorded five strikeouts, and only let in two runs to secure the Hokies two-run victory.

Blacksburg, VA- April 24, 2024- Virginia Tech Softball Park- Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Marshall Thundering Herd

Photo Shot By: Miles Jordan