Virginia Tech sweeps Saturday at South Carolina Tournament

By Caleb Wetzel

Staff Writer

February 26, 2022

Game 1 vs. Miami (OH)

No. 8 Virginia Tech’s offense has started slow this season, relying heavily on its pitching. The most runs they scored in the first 11 games was six against then-No. 19 Kentucky.

The Hokies only needed five innings to surpass that number against Miami (OH) in a 8-0, run-rule victory.

Emma Lemley continued her dominance on the mound for the Hokies (10-2), pitching all five innings while only giving up four hits and striking out six.

The scoring came quickly, as Virginia Tech scored three right off the bat in the first inning. Emma Ritter drove in the first two runs on a fielder's choice, and Morgan Overaitis followed by driving Ritter in with a double to left field.

Overaitis had a huge game at the plate, going 3-for-3 and driving in two runs. She led the team in hits, while Meredith Slaw and Ritter added two hits apiece.

The offense accrued its eight runs off of eleven hits, two of them being extra-base hits.

Miami (3-5) attempted to get some runs on the board and prolong the game in the top of the fifth inning, starting the inning with runners on first and second after a single and an error. But Lemley retired the next three batters in order to end the threat and the game.

Game 2 vs. South Carolina

The storyline was different in the second game of the day, when Keely Rochard starred.

Rochard was spectacular in the 5-3 victory, holding the South Carolina (8-4) offense hitless until the seventh inning. She struck out 10 batters in the game, and the only blemish she had was the seventh inning where she gave up a three-run home run to pinch-hitter Zoe Laneaux.

The offense backed its ace early with three runs in the second inning thanks to back-to-back home runs from Ritter and freshman Bre Peck.

Ritter hit 2-for-3 on the game and led the offensive attack with three RBIs. She has been spectacular through the first 13 games, batting .387 with a 1.118 OPS and sits tied for the team lead in runs batted in (eight).

Ritter and Peck weren’t the only offensive sources in the game –– the team totaled seven hits –– and every player in the lineup reached base safely in the game.

The Hokies (11-2)scored their other two runs in the top of the seventh inning to help give Rochard more padding to close out the game. Kelsey Brown scored on a fielder’s choice and Ritter followed with a single to drive in another run.

Virginia Tech will take on Troy Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. looking to try and finish out the South Carolina tournament a perfect 4-0.