Hokie ClubJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A shutout, five-strikeout relief performance from Keely Rochard and a go-ahead two RBI double in the sixth inning from freshman Casey Barrett lifted Virginia Tech to a 6-4 win over Iowa State on Sunday at the Jacksonville Invitational.
Rochard registered her second win of the weekend after no-hitting the Cyclones over the final five innings. Barrett went 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI while junior Olivia Lattin went 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI. Freshman Darby Trull went 2 for 3 with two runs in the nine slot for the Hokies (10-8).
The Hokies trailed 4-0 early and threatened again in the top of the third before Rochard came on in relief with two runners on and no one out. Rochard would go on to retire the next three batters in order, including the last two by way of the K.
After Rochard got out of the jam, the Tech capitalized on three Iowa State errors in the bottom of the third. Junior Emma Strouth reached on an error by the pitcher with the bases loaded that scored Trull, giving the Hokies their first run. Walton was credited with a fielder's choice RBI on the next play that plated one run and Barrett was able to score all the way from second after the shortstop threw the ball away on the throw home, cutting the Hokies' deficit to one, 4-3.
Lattin then stepped to the plate hit a double to the wall that brought Walton around from first. On the play at the plate, the Iowa State catcher was called for obstruction and the umpire granted Walton the base, tying the score at 4-4.
Rochard continued to deal as she retired nine batters in a row heading into the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore Hannah Jones got the inning started on a single to right with one out. After junior Kinsey Johnson came in as a pinch runner, Trull slapped an opposite field single that gave the Hokies runners on first and second. Barrett then stepped to the plate with two down and rocketed a bases clearing double to the left center field gap, putting the Hokies ahead 6-4.
Rochard then returned for the top of the seventh and retired the side in order. She sat down the final 12 batters she faced.
Tech returns to action on Tuesday with two games at UCF. The Hokies will first take on Ball State at 10 a.m. before facing the Black Knights at 12:30 p.m.