Virginia Tech outlasts Missouri to continue their season-opening hot streak

By Colby Talley

Staff Writer

February 12, 2022

In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Luckily for No. 10 Virginia Tech (4-0), that’s exactly what it has been doing lately as it beat No. 11 Missouri (2-2) by a score of 4-3 to claim its fourth straight victory of the Northern Lights/Southern Nights Invitational.

Hokies ace pitcher Keely Rochard, while not being quite as dominant as usual, still put together a quality performance as she struck out 11 batters while only giving up six hits in seven innings.

The majority of Rochard’s missteps occurred in the second inning when the Tigers jumped out to a two-run lead. The advantage came courtesy of an RBI single from designated player Megan Moll as well as a run scored by outfielder Alex Honnold.

Despite falling behind early, the Hokies would come right back and close the deficit in one fell swoop with a two-RBI double to deep left field from Jayme Bailey.

Kelsey Brown put the Hokies on top in the fourth inning with an RBI single, but the Tiger quickly tied the game back up when catcher Hatti Moore scored on a fielding error at first base.

The final outcome ultimately came down to Brown’s second RBI of the game when she slapped a single to first base that allowed Mackenzie Lawter to score from second. The Hokies protected their one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning to close the game.

Despite front-loading their early season schedule with top-25 squads, the Hokies have done well thus far to not crumble under the pressure.