The Virginia Tech Hokies softball team is heading to the ACC Championship after a commanding 5-0 shutout victory over Duke on Friday. As the No. 3 seed, the Hokies delivered a dominant performance that showcased both their pitching depth and power at the plate, setting the stage for a thrilling title showdown.

The game was anchored by a stellar pitching duo. Bree Carrico got the start, tossing 5.2 innings while allowing just three hits and two walks, striking out four. She handed the ball to Emma Mazzarone in the sixth inning, who continued her incredible tournament run. Mazzarone, fresh off a 14-strikeout gem against Virginia on Thursday, added 1.2 innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts to earn the save. Together, they silenced a formidable Duke lineup.

Offensively, the Hokies relied on the long ball, crushing four home runs to power their way to victory. Michelle Chatfield started the fireworks in the first inning with a solo shot to put Virginia Tech up 1-0. Nora Abromavage followed in the second with another solo homer, extending the lead to 2-0. After a quiet middle innings, Rachel Castine launched a solo home run in the top of the sixth to make it 3-0.

Duke threatened in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs, but Mazzarone entered and shut the door with a strikeout. The Hokies put the game out of reach in the seventh, when Jordan Lynch led off with a double and Kylie Aldridge crushed a two-run homer to make it 5-0. The pitching staff held Duke scoreless the rest of the way, sealing the win.

This marks Virginia Tech's first trip to the ACC Championship game since 2012. They will face top-seeded Florida State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. With Mazzarone emerging as a potential tournament MVP and the offense finding its rhythm, the Hokies are poised for an exciting title clash. Fans can expect high energy and top-tier softball as Virginia Tech looks to bring home the championship.