No. 5 Hokies make history in series-clinching win over No. 3 Seminoles

By Colb Talley

Staff Writer

April 9, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – There’s getting a big win, and then there’s making a statement.

No. 5 Virginia Tech (29-4, 13-0 Atlantic Coast) did the latter on Saturday, setting a program record for runs in a single game during its 23-9, series-clinching win over No. 3 Florida St. (36-4, 10-4 ACC).

Tech’s historic offensive performance was made even more impressive by the fact the Seminoles rank first in the conference for team pitching. Furthermore, the Seminoles’ starter, Danielle Watson, currently boasts the eighth-best ERA (1.54) in the conference.

The brunt of the Hokies’ firepower was provided by the trio of Meredith Slaw, Cameron Fagan and Kelsey Bennett, all of whom finished with four RBIs.

Slaw, coming off a game on Friday where she hit two home runs that accounted for three of the Hokies’ six runs, went 3-for-3 with a single, double and a home run. Fagan and Bennett also each finished with three hits, with both players hitting a home run.

The Hokies didn’t waste time getting runs on the board as Cameron Fagan scored on an error following what was only the second at-bat of the game to that point. The runs came so quickly and so frequently that Seminoles head coach Lonni Alameda pulled Watson from the game in the third inning after the Hokies had pulled to an 11-run lead.

When asked in between innings if it was the best start he had ever seen from his squad, Hokies head coach Pete D’Amour couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

“If I have seen it, I don’t remember it.”

Despite the lopsided outcome of the contest, it didn’t come without its fair share of drama. While the Seminoles struggled to produce offense for most of the afternoon, they managed to score nine runs and claw their way back into the game during a fourth inning that felt like it happened in a completely different game.

This scoring burst from the home team was highlighted by a grand slam from outfielder Kalei Harding and a three-run home run from infielder Mack Leonard.

As a result of the Seminoles strong fourth inning, the Hokies’ starter, Emma Lemley, was pulled from the game after giving up four runs on three hits in three innings. After a failed attempt by Ivy Rosenberry to stop the proverbial bleeding, the Hokies’ turned to their ace pitcher, Keely Rochard, who, despite pitching nine full innings in her start on Friday, finished out the rest of the game and shut down the Seminoles’ bats in the process

The Hokies proceeded to rebuild their lofty lead with 12 runs through the final two innings, including a 10-run burst in the top of the seventh highlighted by a pinch-hit, two-RBI single from Grace Chavez that officially broke the Hokies’ program scoring record.

With this series win, the Hokies have not only further solidified their current top spot in the ACC, but they have also surely done some favors for their national ranking. They’ll go for the series sweep Sunday at noon.