Overaitis Lifts Hokies, Rochard, Lemley Combine for Sweep

By Ishan Lamba

Staff Writer

March 6, 2022

Morgan Overatis stepped to the plate for Virginia Tech down 0-2 in the count with two on and two outs in the top of the sixth. In the scoreless game as a pinch hitter, she swung at a 71 mph riser directly over the plate, sending it just beyond the center field wall.

Locked in a heated pitcher's duel, that one swing was all it took for Overaitis to spoil Clemson's hopes of avoiding a sweep, as the Hokies (14-3, 3-0 Atlantic Coast) defeated the Tigers (12-6, 0-3 ACC), 4-1.

In the second chapter of this weekend's Rochard vs. Cagle saga, it was all about dealing with pressure.

Through the first five innings, both teams got at least one runner on base every inning except the fourth.

With the persistent threat of allowing a run, both pitchers were red-hot, dealing challenging pitches and keeping the two teams knotted at zero through five.

The pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts through five. Cagle finally broke in the sixth.

Prior to Overaitis' three-run bomb, Clemson’s two-way start allowed a single, a pop-out, and two fielder's choices that ended up leading to two outs and a runner on first and second.

After the homer put VT up 3-0, cracks began to form in Rochard's defense as well. She allowed a leadoff double and a groundout before a fielding error put runners on the corners with one out.

A sac fly by Sam Russ into left field scored Grace Mattimore, cutting the deficit to two, where it stayed heading into the seventh inning.

After more than 100 pitches apiece, both aces were pulled heading into the final inning.

With Regan Spencer back in the circle, Hokies quickly got their three-run lead back entering the bottom of the seventh.

Emma Lemley, who had just come off a shutout performance, immediately surrendered a solo shot to Cagle, cutting the Tech lead back down to two.

The freshman was unfazed, retiring the next three batters and recording her first collegiate save.

The win leaves Virginia Tech and Duke as the lone undefeated teams in ACC play.

The Hokies will return to Blacksburg for their first home games of the season, a Wednesday doubleheader against Norfolk State.