Virginia Tech opens weekend with extra-inning win over Ohio State

By Colby Talley

Staff Writer

February 25, 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. – When No. 7 Virginia Tech won games back in 2021, it did so emphatically.

Eight-run wins and games ending in the fifth inning were routine for the Hokies early last season. They never seemed to leave much room for doubt when they were firing on all cylinders.

However, no matter what, a win is a win.

The Hokies (9-2) won their fifth one-run game of the season, beating Ohio State (7-2), 1-0, in nine innings to start the South Carolina Tournament.

Catcher Mackenzie Lawter’s opposite-field RBI double scored the game’s only run in the top of the ninth inning, bringing home Cameron Fagan from second.

These close margins of victory and low run totals are unusual given the squad’s reputation for putting up great offensive numbers against early-season opponents. The Hokies have faced better competition in 2022 –– including five top-25 matchups in Tech’s first 11 games –– but still, the offense is struggling to find its rhythm.

The Hokies have scored 2.9 runs per game this season, but their pitching continues to pick up the offense’s slack.

In her sixth start of the season, ace Keely Rochard pitched a season-best 17 strikeouts and only allowed three hits in nine innings of work. Rochard also had a no-hitter going through six innings until Buckeyes outfielder Meggie Otte shot a single up the middle in the seventh.

Rochard’s biggest challenge came in the bottom of the ninth, when Ohio State put two runners in scoring position thanks to singles from Tegan Cortelletti and Taylor Pack ahead of a sacrifice bunt from Melina Wilkinson.

With the Buckeyes threatening to tie the game or take the lead, Rochard got a clutch strikeout and forced Otte into a groundout to cap off the Hokies’ win.

As the pitching continues to drive the Hokies towards victory, the squad will go into the rest of the weekend hoping their offense can start to do the same against Miami (Ohio), South Carolina and Troy.