Virginia Tech Softball Rides Five-Run Third Inning to Defeat Radford 7-2

The No. 11/12 Hokies scored five runs in the third inning to propel past the Highlanders.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the dynamic action of a softball game, with the ball and players' movements represented through sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in the team's vibrant colors.Virginia Tech's five-run third inning outburst propels the Hokies to a key non-conference victory over Radford.Radford Today

The No. 11/12 Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Radford Highlanders 7-2 on Tuesday, riding a five-run third inning to the victory. Stetson transfer Addison Foster led off the game with a home run, and the Hokies broke the game open in the third with RBI hits from Nora Abromavage, Michelle Chatfield, and a two-run homer from Kylie Aldridge. Freshman starter Avery Layton picked up the win, while senior Sophie Kleiman closed out the game for the Hokies.

Why it matters

The win over Radford was an important non-conference matchup for the Hokies, who are looking to build momentum heading into a key ACC series against rival Virginia this weekend. Virginia Tech is currently ranked No. 11/12 nationally and is looking to solidify its position as one of the top teams in the conference.

The details

The Hokies (34-5, 9-3 ACC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on Foster's leadoff home run. Radford starter Madison Sabo kept the Hokies in check until the third inning, when Virginia Tech exploded for five runs. Foster and Jordan Lynch singled to start the rally, and Abromavage, Chatfield, and Aldridge all drove in runs to make it 6-0. Chatfield later added a solo home run in the sixth inning to cap the scoring for the Hokies.

  • Addison Foster led off the game with a home run in the first inning.
  • The Hokies scored five runs in the top of the third inning.
  • Michelle Chatfield hit a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The players

Addison Foster

A transfer from Stetson, Foster led off the game with a home run for the Hokies.

Nora Abromavage

The Hokies' cleanup hitter, Abromavage drove in two runs with a double in the third inning.

Michelle Chatfield

The Hokies' junior first baseman, Chatfield drove in a run with a double in the third inning and later hit a solo home run.

Kylie Aldridge

The Hokies' designated player, Aldridge hit a two-run home run in the third inning to cap the Hokies' five-run outburst.

Avery Layton

The Hokies' freshman starting pitcher, Layton earned the win after throwing five innings and allowing just one run.

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What they’re saying

“Always hard when you're coming off conference series like you just came off of. You're emotionally invested a little bit more in conference, I always say you make your money in conference.”

— Pete D'Amour, Hokies head coach

“I was just starting to foul off a few pitches until I found the pitch I was looking to hit. So, [I] found it and then connected with it.”

— Kylie Aldridge, Hokies designated player

“We have a lot of tough practices in the fall and in the spring. Sometimes seeing pitching is a little bit easier after you're trying to hit some balls super hard. I'm finally starting to connect with the ball and seeing the benefits of it.”

— Kylie Aldridge, Hokies designated player

What’s next

The Hokies will head to Charlottesville to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in a key ACC series this weekend. Game one is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The Hokies' five-run third inning outburst showcased the team's offensive firepower, which will be crucial as they look to continue their strong season and make a push for the ACC title. The win over Radford should provide a confidence boost heading into the matchup with Virginia.