no. 19 virginia tech defeats rival virginia in midweek matchup
Caleb Wetzel
March 30, 2021
Virginia Tech's Keely Rochard throws a pitch on March 30 against Virginia. Rochard racked up 11 strikeouts in Tech's 9-1 win over the Cavaliers. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
Facing off for the second time this season, No. 19 Virginia Tech (20-5, 13-5 ACC) dominated Virginia (8-17, 4-13 ACC), beating the Cavaliers, 9-1 on Tuesday.
Left fielder Kelsey Brown and shortstop Addy Greene carried the Hokies offense, each with three hits on the day. Brown is now hitting .456, which is the second-best batting average in the ACC. First baseman Jayme Bailey also contributed driving in three runs.
The Hokies’ offense put runs on the board early, scoring off a wild pitch in the first and an error in the second. Right fielder Emma Ritter doubled to right in the third to drive in another run and put Virginia Tech up 3-0.
Things broke open for the Hokies offense in the fourth inning when Bailey doubled down the left field line with the bases loaded and drove in all three runs. Third baseman Kelsey Bennett followed with a single to right to drive in Bailey and extended the Hokies’ lead to eight runs.
The Cavaliers struggled to get anything going on offense as they were up against Hokies’ ace Keely Rochard. She came into the game 15-2 on the year with an ERA below one (0.84).
Virginia was able to get its leadoff hitter on in three of the first four innings, but could not string any sort of rally together. UVa did, however, push a run across in the fifth inning after a single from left fielder Emma McBride drove in pinch-runner Abigail Barber.
Other than the lone run that crossed the plate, Rochard dominated the Cavaliers in her six innings of work. She pounded the strike zone and punched out 11 Cavalier batters, while walking one.
Mackenzie Osborne replaced Rochard in the seventh to close the book and seal a Virginia Tech win. The Cavaliers were able to load the bases with one out, but Osborne induced a double-play to end the game.
Virginia Tech has now won 12 straight against Virginia, and leads the all-time series 48-22.
The Hokies travel to Durham this Friday starting a four-game series against No. 12 Duke in what will be a clash between two of the top teams in the ACC.
Virginia stays home to face off against Boston College in a four-game series.