Hokies Look to continue hot start at Clemson

Ryan Wilkes

February 18, 2021

CLEMSON, S.C. — Hot off of a series sweep, No. 14 Virginia Tech heads to the warmer confines of South Carolina to take on a conference foe — Clemson.

Both the Hokies and the Tigers come into this weekend series with a goose egg in the loss column. Tech’s offense overwhelmed Kennesaw State in a three-game series over the weekend and Clemson took two games in Jacksonville, defeating Illinois State and North Florida.

Both squads come into this series with similar storylines — pitching.

Clemson’s Valerie Cagle posted five innings of work in the Tigers 11-0 triumph over Illinois State. She retired nine-of-15 batters she faced via strikeout.

Virginia Tech had a familiar face lighting up the stat sheet in Keely Rochard over the weekend, but also received a complete game shutout from freshman Ivy Rosenberry.

Rosenberry, in her first start in a Hokie uniform, surrendered only three hits along with three strikeouts en route to her first victory on Saturday evening.

Virginia Tech was clicking on all cylinders over the weekend and didn’t surrender a single run to Kennesaw State, while outscoring the Owls 16-0.

The bats for both the Hokies and the Tigers started to heat up in their respective season openers as well.

Clemson wasted no time getting to work, posting a three-run first inning in its season opener.

Freshman Melanie Clark started her career with the Tigers off right, smacking a triple on the first pitch of the game. She eventually scored on that same play after an error committed by the right fielder.

Redshirt junior Marissa Guimbarda continued the Tigers’ hot inning, adding a two-run home run to the scoresheet, making the score 3-0 after the first.

Clemson didn’t let up and outscored its opponents 15-3 in the team’s two games in Jacksonville.

Virginia Tech’s offensive attack was led by another freshman — Emma Ritter. Ritter tallied a home run and a single in her first game as a Hokie. She also added a double in the series finale, giving her three RBIs on the weekend.

Both the Tigers and the Hokies come into this series wanting to not only keep their undefeated record, but get an early leg up on others in the ACC.

Early season performances indicate that this matchup will be a lot of fun to watch, with a good mix of hot bats and stellar pitching.