Virginia Tech softball heads north for its second Virginia road trip this week, traveling to Charlottesville to play No. 19 Virginia.
Consistency in the polls 👊#Hokiespic.twitter.com/vAYMOP5ET7
— Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) April 8, 2026
In the circle, Emma Mazzarone will presumably start Friday’s contest for No. 11 Virginia Tech (34-5, 9-3 ACC), with redshirt freshman Bree Carrico in the wings. Carrico has pitched an ACC-leading 1.39 earned run average through 21 appearances. In seven ACC games, she has sported a 0.86 ERA, going for 24 1/3 frames and allowing 13 hits, three runs (all earned) and nine walks. Moreover, the redshirt freshman has racked up 27 strikeouts and allowed just six extra-base hits against ACC competition.
It doesn’t get much easier for the Cavaliers (32-6, 9-5 ACC) against Mazzarone, who’s pitching at a 2.56 ERA in league play. Mazzarone has gone through four complete games in the ACC, throwing for 38 1/3 innings. In taht span, she’s allowed 23 hits and 17 runs (14 earned). Though she’s conceded 28 walks, she’s also racked up a team-high 51 strikeouts and has held her league opponents to a .167 clip at the dish…