No. 6 Tennessee Thumps No. 17 Hokies In 11-0 Rout

By Zach Ozmon

Staff Writer

April 11, 2023

BLACKSBURG - Although it was a gorgeous day Tuesday evening at Tech Softball Park, the game itself was quite the opposite for No. 17 Virginia Tech. 

With a top-20 matchup ensuing, the park was packed in anticipation for the marquee matchup. Unfortunately for the fans in Blacksburg, No. 6 Tennessee (31-5) brought its A-game against the Hokies (31-10) en route to a run-rule 11-0 final in five innings.

Emma Lemley (19-4) got the start for Tech and really never had time to get into her groove. Five Lady Volunteers reached base in the inning, with four of them coming around to score. Tennessee had a reputation for jumping out to quick leads, and this matchup against the Hokies was certainly no different. It also shocked the Tech faithful to see their ace, Lemley, get knocked around so quickly, as she would only go an inning and a third.

The Lady Vols struck early once again in the top half of the second inning when a single and hit by pitch given up by Lemley set up McKenna Gibson for her three-run blast over the center fielder Emma Ritter. After giving up the home run, Lemley’s night was done, and Lyndsey Grein came in to replace her.

Grein was cruising, keeping her team within reach, before trouble struck the Hokies once again in the top of the fourth. Three out of four Tennessee players reached to begin the inning, and once again, they delivered with runners in scoring position. Katie Taylor ripped a double into centerfield, bringing in two more runs and increasing the score to 10-0 in favor of the Lady Vols.

Nothing was doing for the Hokies offense on the night, as pitcher Ashley Rodgers (12-1) held them to only a single hit that came in the bottom of the first off the bat of Cameron Fagan. But after that knock, the Hokies were silent, only mustering one more baserunner in the game with a Bre Peck walk. A rough patch of hitting woes hit Tech once again after they struggled with hit production in the series against Duke about 10 days ago.

Luckily for the Hokies, this brutal loss does not count toward their conference record. Tech keeps their spot in third place in the ACC. An upcoming schedule of premier ACC contenders in Clemson and Florida State proves to be a great test for this team as it continues the season and approaches postseason play.

The Hokies next matchup is game one of a three-game set against Notre Dame in South Bend, which will be on Friday.