Virginia Tech Shuts out Kennesaw State, winning 6-0 in Both Matchups
Wyatt Krueger
February 14, 2021
Virginia Tech players high-five each other during one of two 6-0 wins at Kennesaw State on Saturday. (Virginia Tech athletics)
KENNESAW, Ga. — The Virginia Tech softball team opened the 2021 season with two wins in their doubleheader against Kennesaw State, winning 6-0 in both contests on Saturday.
With starting pitchers who posted two complete-game shutouts and allowed just six hits combined, coupled with a balanced offensive attack with key contributions from freshmen, there is plenty to be excited about after Virginia Tech’s first two games of the year.
The Hokies last took the field 338 days ago, and entered Saturday’s matchup ranked No. 15 in USA Today and No. 16 in ESPN.com preseason polls, their highest ranking since 2008.
In game one, preseason All-ACC pitcher Keely Rochard shined in a complete game shutout for Virginia Tech. The junior struckout 11 and retired 21 of the 26 batters faced.
Freshmen Emma Ritter and Addy Greene were the main contributors on offense, as both hit home runs and had two RBIs in their Hokie debuts.
The homers from Ritter and Greene helped stretch Virginia Tech’s lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning.
Shortstop Cameron Fagan, another freshman that produced in her first game as a Hokie, recorded a hit and scored Virginia Tech’s first run of the year after a Cana Davis two-out double in the top of the third inning. Fagan was able to get on base in four out of her first seven career at bats.
In game two of the doubleheader, another freshman debut took place, as Ivy Rosenberry took the mound for the Hokies and proved as a solid compliment to Rochard in the starting rotation.
Rosenberry only allowed three hits and retired 23 of the 26 batters faced in what was a dominating performance by the Virginia Tech pitching staff.
Sophomore right fielder Jayme Bailey carried the offensive load for Virginia Tech, going 3-4 with four RBIs. Bailey drove in runs in the top of the first and top of the sixth inning to help Virginia Tech increase its lead to 6-0.
Virginia Tech will look to complete the three-game series sweep of Kennesaw State at noon on Sunday.