Hokie ClubCOLUMBUS, Ga. – The Virginia Tech softball team fell to sixth-ranked Michigan, 6-0, Friday on the first day of the 14th annual NFCA Leadoff Classic in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Super Regional in which the Hokies won a pair of games on the final day to advance to the Women’s College World Series. The second game of the day, against No. 1 Alabama, was cancelled due to heavy rain in the area making the playing field a quagmire.
The Wolverines wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, plating a run in the top of the first inning with on a single by Amanda Chidester. In the second, UM scored a run on a double by Teddi Ewing to make it 2-0 in favor of the maize and blue.
After a rocky first two innings, starter Kenzie Roark settled down, keeping the ranked Wolverines at bay until the seventh inning when she gave up a two-run home run. Roark (L, 3-8) went six-plus innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Abbie Rexrode got the final three outs in the seventh inning.
The Hokies were stymied at the plate by All-American Nikki Nemitz. Only a Jenna Rhodes infield single in the fourth inning prevented the no-hitter.
Tech (5-10) will play No. 19 Southern Illinois (11 am) and No. 13 DePaul (1:30 pm) Saturday, weather permitting, and will finish Sunday against Illinois State at 11 a.m.