BLACKSBURG – Heading back down to Charleston, South Carolina for the second straight weekend, the Virginia Tech softball team will play versus three teams in four games at the Wingate by Wyndham Invitational Saturday through Sunday.
Charleston Southern (3-4) will play host to Detroit Mercy (3-2), ETSU (2-0-2) and Virginia Tech (5-0) at CSU Softball Field.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Sat. | 10 a.m. ET vs. Detroit Mercy | Stats
Sat. | 2:30 p.m. at Charleston Southern | Stats
Sun. | 1 p.m. vs. ETSU | Stats
Sun. | 3:15 p.m. at Charleston Southern | Stats
The Hokies, who are receiving votes in the USA Softball Top 25, started off the season by winning the Cougar Classic. Two-run rule wins, topping last year's mark of one (Florida A&M on Feb. 9, 2018), highlighted the 5-0 start. The 5-0 record marks only the fourth time that Tech has won its first five games.
At the plate, senior Caitlyn Nolan put on for her home state, recording a .714 batting average, nine RBIs and two home runs over the weekend to win two awards. The shortstop was named the National Player of the Week by Louisville Slugger/NFCA, as well as the ACC Player of the Week.
In the circle, sophomore Keely Rochard racked up 30 strikeouts in 19.0 innings pitched, while not allowing a run to earn three shutout wins. Her efforts were recognized by the league office, as she won ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week.
Tech ranks very highly in the national rankings in terms of batting, with its batting average (.421) coming in at No. 4 in the country and doubles per game (2.80) at the four spot as well.
SCOUTING CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
Record: 3-4 (0-0 Big South)
Head coach: Venus Taylor (3-4, 1stseason)
All-time series: Buccaneers lead 3-0
The Buccaneers are coming off 6-2 loss to Coastal Carolina in midweek play on Wednesday.
SCOUTING DETROIT MERCY
Record: 3-2, 0-0 Horizon
Head coach: John Conway (62-145, 5thseason)
All-time series: First meeting
The Titans have won their last three games, defeating Evansville, Purdue Fort Wayne and Butler at the Total Control Sports Invitational in Rosemont, Illinois.
SCOUTING ETSU
2018 record: 2-0-2, 0-0 SOCON
Head coach: Brad Irwin (142-245, 9thseason)
All-time series: First meeting
The Buccaneers in their last two outings tied versus Akron and Presbyterian in Clinton, South Carolina at the Blue Hose Invitational.
