BLACKSBURG – Two run-rule victories behind a 19-5 hit advantage led No. 24 Virginia Tech softball over Binghamton in a doubleheader on Tuesday at Tech Softball Park.
The first game, a 12-0 win in five innings, saw three home runs by the Hokies (23-4, 5-1 ACC) and a combined three-hitter in the circle. Game 2 entailed a 9-1 (5) victory for Tech thanks to four extra-base hits and an 11-strikeout two-hitter from pitcher Keely Rochard (9-3).
QUOTING PITCHER KEELY ROCHARD
On what was working for her so well to get 11 strikeouts:
"I got my rise ball back working," Rochard said. "That's what I've been working on a lot because I was working on the drop, and I think that threw off my rise a little. So, we went back and worked more on rise. I also felt like my rhythm was back, so I felt more confident and my ball was moving more it felt like."
On striking out the side 11 times this year and how she can get in the zone in an inning:
"Honestly, I just throw and I don't really think about striking them out," Rochard explained. "I'm thinking about moving my pitches and making sure my pitches are working. I guess striking out the side comes along with that (laughing). But I just focus on one pitch at a time."
On the two wins today helping get some momentum into tomorrow's game:
"I think we go in thinking we are supposed to win all of our games," Rochard said. "We have the talent to and have the coaching to. Going into tomorrow, if we hit well like we did today, with being able to adjust to the different speeds of pitching we saw, we should be able to adjust. Tomorrow we are going to have to hit, stay solid on defense and that will give ourselves a chance to win."
GAME 1 – VT 12, BING 0 (5)
In the bottom of the first inning, first baseman Jayme Bailey led off with a walk and would score after a triple by Darby Trull to left field. Trull would score on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Caitlyn Nolan to make it a 2-0 game after one.
The second inning would be the most runs Tech has scored in a frame this season, racking up 10. Catcher Mackenzie Lawter took over, belting two home runs in the inning after batting around.
Her first one was a homer down the left-field line, scoring outfielder Cana Davis and designated player Grace Chavez. Her second, the final run of the inning, was a solo shot to right center.
In between Lawter's hits over the fence, outfielder Emma Strouth doubled down the right-field line, knocking in Bailey and second baseman Maddi Banks. Trull would score on a throwing error and then Chavez hit a no-doubter to right center for a three-run homer.
In the circle, Carrie Eberle (14-1) pitched the first four innings, allowing one hit, two walks and struck out five Bearcats (6-8) to earn the win. Keara Napoli came in relief, closing out the fifth with two hits allowed and a strikeout.
GAME 2 – VT 9, BING 1 (5)
For the 14thtime this season, Tech scored in the first inning. Strouth got it going with a single through the left side, scoring outfielder Al Velazquez and moving Bennett to third. Chavez came through again at the plate, knocking in another run as she singled up the middle to score Bennett. Then Strouth scored on a throwing error when Jada Crittendon, playing in her first two games of the season, stole second.
Rochard was feeling it in the second, striking out the side for the fourth time this season in the second frame. The two innings later, she did it again with all three Ks being swinging.
With a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Sierra Walton singled to third as her hard-hit ball hit off the third baseman's glove, scoring Banks. Walton would get knocked in, as well as Velazquez, after a two-run double by Strouth to left.
Binghamton scored its lone run of the day in the fifth, plating its runner at third off a Tech error in the infield. The Hokies would answer, however, with catcher Lauren Duff hitting her first homer of the season, a solo home run to left. Velazquez followed with an RBI double to left center, scoring Banks.
With two outs and Stacy Kalt on second, Bennett hit it to the shortstop who threw a ball in the dirt to first and it was bobbled, giving enough time for Bennett to be safe at first and Kalt to round third and score.
NOTES
- Lawter's two home runs in the first game mark the fourth time this season a Hokie has had two HRs in a contest. The South Boston, Virginia native joins Bennett (1x, [RV] Texas State) and Nolan (2x, Radford and UAB) who have accomplished the feat this year.
- With the shutout in the first contest, it marked Tech's second straight game of not allowing a run (Sunday, NC State). Tech now has 11 shutouts on the season, the most in the ACC.
- Rochard's 11 strikeouts were the third-most of her career. She now has four games this year of 10-plus, a team best. With her two striking-out-the-side moments today, the sophomore now has done that 11 times on the season.
- Trull's triple marked her second of the season, giving her the lead with the most on the team. Bennett, Strouth and Velazquez all have one apiece.
- Crittendon tallied her first career hit, a slap through the left side.
UP NEXT
- The Hokies will continue their home stand at Tech Softball Park on Wednesday, taking on Lipscomb (19-8-1) at 6 p.m. ET. The Lady Bisons own the all-time series 4-1. The contest will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra, with Sam Hyman (play-by-play) and Shelby Miller (color) on the call. Gallery: (3/19/2019) 2019 SOFTBALL vs. BINGHAMTON
