BLACKSBURG – After going 4-1 to open the season last weekend, Virginia Tech softball heads to another tournament, this time in Clearwater, Fla. for the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational.
Over the four-day tournament, Virginia Tech will play No. 16/16 Oklahoma State, No. 18/17 South Carolina, No. 19/18 Missouri, No. 14/13 Missouri and No. 21/23 Northwestern. Ticket information can be viewed here. All tournament and daily tickets are sold out, but tickets are still available for select games.
Two of Tech's five games will be linear, with Thursday's game vs. Oklahoma State shown on the ACC Network and the game against South Carolina is on ESPNU Friday morning. The Hokies remaining three games will be streamed on ESPN3.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thurs. | 10 a.m. ET vs. #16/16 Oklahoma State | Stats | Watch
Fri. | 10 a.m. ET vs. #18/17 South Carolina | Stats | Watch
Sat. | 1 p.m. ET vs. #19/18 Missouri | Stats | Watch
Sat. | 5 p.m. ET vs. #14/13 Minnesota | Stats | Watch
Sun. | 12 p.m. ET vs. #21/23 Northwestern | Stats | Watch
Kelsey Brown made an immediate impact with the Hokies last weekend after transferring from James Madison. The sophomore hit .556 with a home run and three RBIs in Tech's first five games of the season at the Kickin' Chicken Classic. She was also a threat on the basepaths, registering five steals.
Starting three of Tech's first five games, Keely Rochard went 2-1 last weekend. Her only loss was an extra inning defeat to Iowa after she recorded her career-high in strikeouts with 15. Rochard is averaging over 10 strikeouts per game.
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA STATE
Record: 2-2 (0-0 Big 12)
Head Coach: Kenny Gajewski (6th season, 156-92)
All-time Series: Virginia Tech, 3-2
No. 16/16 Oklahoma State went 2-2 last weekend after beating Florida A&M twice and losing twice to seventh-ranked LSU.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
Record: 4-0 (0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Beverly Smith (11th season, 320-215)
All-time Series: South Carolina, 7-6
The Gamecocks, ranked 18th and 17th nationally, are an undefeated 4-0 on the season. USC's last game went into extras against UNC Greensboro, but they pulled it out in the ninth inning.
SCOUTING MISSOURI
Record: 5-0 (0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Larissa Anderson (7th season, 170-98-1)
All-time Series: Missouri, 3-1
No. 19/18 Missouri jumped into the rankings this week after receiving votes in the preseason polls. The Tigers knocked off then-No. 7 Minnesota in eight innings last weekend.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Record: 3-2 (0-0 Big 10)
Head Coach: Jamie Trachsel (11th season, 334-117)
All-time Series: Minnesota, 2-1
The No. 14/13 Golden Gophers stay in Clearwater after going 3-2 in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Minnesota suffered losses to No. 19/18 Missouri and No. 10/10 Kentucky.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
Record: 2-3 (0-0 Big 10)
Head Coach: Kate Drohan (20th season, 619-361-1)
All-time Series: Virginia Tech, 1-0
No. 21/23 Northwestern won their most recent game against Portland State 8-3 in Tempe, Ariz. The Wildcats suffered ranked losses to No. 12/12 Tennessee and No. 23/22 Arizona State.
