GREENSBORO, N.C. – After winning three of Virginia Tech's five games over the weekend, Keely Rochard has been named ACC Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.
Rochard (7-3) appeared in three of the Hokies' (12-3) five wins over the weekend, starting two and winning all three. She pitched 18 innings and allowed just one earned run at the Charleston Invitational.
Her top performance came against College of Charleston (4-8) Sunday afternoon when Rochard entered the game in the fourth inning and proceeded to retire all 12 batters she faced, striking out 11 of them. The Williamsburg, Virginia native struck out her first nine batters in the 5-0 win over the Cougars.
Rochard is No. 1 in the country in total strikeouts with 99, five ahead of UCLA's Megan Faraimo (9-0). She's also 16th in strikeouts per 7 innings pitched with 11.0.
The honor marks Rochard's fourth ACC Pitcher of the Week award, with her earning it three times last year.
Rochard and the Hokies get back on the field Wednesday afternoon at Radford (6-3). The game versus the Highlanders is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
ACC Softball Player of the Week
Feb. 11 – Kiersten Landers, Fr., OF, Florida State
Feb. 18 – Valerie Cagle, Fr., UT, Clemson
Feb. 25 – Abby Sweet, Jr., OF, Notre Dame
ACC Softball Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 11 – Caylan Arnold, Sr., Florida State
Feb. 18 – Logan Caymol, R-Fr., Clemson
Feb. 25 – Keely Rochard, Jr., Virginia Tech
