The Virginia Tech Hokies opened the NCAA Tournament on Friday with a point to prove. Despite going undefeated against the SEC in 2026 (6-0) and spending most of the second half of the year inside the top 15, the Hokies weren’t chosen as a host team for the opening regionals.
Message received.
The Hokies opened up against South Alabama in the Baton Rouge Regional on Friday and shut out the Jaguars 6-0. It was Virginia Tech’s 10th shutout of the 2026 season. Pitchers Bree Carrico and Avery Layton combined on the shutout.
After things were scoreless through the first two innings, business picked up in the bottom of the third inning when Gaby Mizelle drew a walk, followed by a single from Annika Rohs and Jordan Lynch reaching base via error, to load the bases.
Just in time for Kylie Aldridge to empty the bases with a grand slam to make it 4-0.
That’s all the Hokies would need. For good measure, Zoe Yaeger added another run with a solo shot in the fourth to make it 5-0, before bringing home another run with an RBI single in the sixth.
Carrico started the game, pitching four innings and allowing two hits and two walks, while striking out three to earn the win. She improved to 15-1 on the season. Layton allowed two hits in three innings of relief, striking out four hitters to earn the save.