BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech softball travels to Jacksonville, Florida for the JU/UNF Spring Break Challenge where the Hokies will play five games from Friday to Sunday.
Tech (12-3) will play in its fourth tournament of the season against Purdue (12-3), North Florida (7-6), Jacksonville (11-5) and Stony Brook (5-0).
The Spring Break Challenge is hosted by Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. The Hokies will play two games at North Florida Friday followed by three games at Jacksonville Saturday and Sunday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Fri. | 2:30 p.m. ET vs. Purdue | Stats
Fri. | 5 p.m. ET vs. North Florida | Stream | Stats
Sat. | 1 p.m. ET vs. Purdue | Stats
Sat. | 3:30 p.m. ET vs. Jacksonville | Stream | Stats
Sun. | 10 a.m. ET vs. Stony Brook | Stats
Tuesday, Tech was ranked No. 19/20 in the country by the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Poll, respectively. The NFCA 19 ranking is the highest in the Pete D'Amour era and the highest since March 20, 2013, while the USA Softball 20 number is the best since May 7, 2019.
Keely Rochard (7-3) earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors after a 3-0 weekend in Charleston, the conference announced Tuesday. Rochard struck out 34 batters in three games, including 11 of 12 versus College of Charleston (4-8).
Jayme Bailey and Kelsey Bennett each had seven RBIs in Charleston. Bailey went 6 for 16 with a home run and two doubles, while Bennett had two homers and a triple.
Also playing well in Charleston, Meredith Slaw finished the weekend with an eye-popping eight RBIs in just seven at-bats. Kelsey Brown, who had five steals in the five games, upped her season total to a team-high 13.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Record: 12-3
Head Coach: Boo De Oliveira (82-108, 4th season)
All-time Series: Tech, 4-1
Purdue is on a five-game winning streak which includes a 1-0 win over [RV/--] North Carolina (6-10). The Boilermakers' offense is fueled by Madison Douglass who is hitting .472 through 14 games.
SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA
Record: 7-6
Head Coach: Marcie Higgs (310-296, 12th season)
All-time Series: Tech, 3-0
The Ospreys went 3-1 this past weekend at the FAU Strikeout Cancer Classic. Rebecca Koskey leads the team in batting average, hitting .500 in 13 games.
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE
Record: 11-5
Head Coach: Erica Ayers (53-69, 3rd season)
All-time Series: Jacksonville, 4-2
Jacksonville had a 4-1 weekend last week at the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by South Alabama. Pitcher Alyssa Bilodeau is 6-3 on the season and is holding opposing batters to a .182 batting average.
SCOUTING STONY BROOK
Record: 5-0
Head Coach: Megan Bryant (538-455-5, 20th season)
All-time Series: Tech, 1-0
Stony Brook began its season last weekend and got off to a 5-0 start at the Madeira Beach Tournament. The Seawolves are outscoring their opponents 33-13.
