no. 19 virginia tech continues to bounce back in dh sweep of syracuse

Caleb Wetzel

May 1, 2021

After it was swept by Notre Dame last weekend, No. 19 Virginia Tech (31-12, 22-11 ACC) has bounced back strong this weekend, claiming three of the first four games against Syracuse (19-19, 11-16 ACC) following a sweep of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Game 1

With pitching ace Keely Rochard (22-7) back in the circle after throwing a no-hitter on Friday, the Hokies knew they would most likely only need a few runs to back her.

The offense got after it in a hurry, scoring four runs in the first inning. Syracuse starter Kaia Oliver struggled to find the zone as she walked the first three batters she faced and gave up the first run off a wild pitch.

Kelsey Bennett hit into a fielder’s choice that drove in two more runs, and second baseman Addy Greene followed with a double that scored Bennett to cap off the four-run first.

Rochard continued her dominance against the Orange hitters, striking out the side in the first two innings.

Four runs was likely all the insurance Rochard would need, but the Hokie bats came alive again in the third. Following two singles to start the inning, third baseman Alexa Milius hit a three-run home run to right to increase the lead 7-0.

After a couple more hits, shortstop Cameron Fagan singled up the middle to add another run, and right fielder Cana Davis hit the second Virginia Tech home run of the inning to add three more runs, and increased the lead to 11-0.

Syracuse couldn’t find an answer to the Hokies’ onslaught of runs, only putting up a run in the fourth off a sacrifice fly from second baseman Gabby Teran.

Rochard finished the game with eight strikeouts in only three innings pitched, and Mackenzie Osborne pitched the final two innings closing the door on the win.

Game 2

Following a game in which the win was hardly in question, Virginia Tech found themselves in a tight one in game two.

Syracuse starter Alexa Romero was dealing and matching Rochard inning for inning as neither pitcher gave up a run through the first three innings.

Romero was just as sharp in the fourth inning as she got the first two batters of the inning out with ease. That was until first baseman Jayme Bailey stepped up and drove a solo home run over the center field fence to put the first run on the board.

Bennett followed with a single down the line, and was pulled for pinch runner Maddy Federico, who stole second base, putting a run in scoring position. Milius capitalized on the opportunity, driving in Federico on a single up the middle, increasing the lead to 2-0.

Bennett struck again in the sixth with a solo shot that put the Hokies up three runs, and that was more than enough insurance for Rochard.

She pitched a complete game three-hit shutout, while striking out eight Syracuse hitters. She was four outs away from throwing her second no-hitter in as many days.

The Hokies and the Orange will play the final game of the series Sunday at 12 p.m., with the Hokies looking to complete the sweep.