CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – With a series win on Saturday, the Virginia Tech softball team finished the Commonwealth Clash series with a sweep on Sunday with a 7-0 victory over Virginia at Palmer Park.
Hokies' (19-4, 3-0 ACC) starter Keely Rochard (14-3) was called on to face the run-hungry Cavaliers (8-12, 0-6) on Sunday afternoon, her third straight start of the series. Rochard was one play away from a perfect game; an error in the second inning gave the Cavaliers their only baserunner of the game.
Rochard finished the game with a no-hitter and 11 strikeouts, marking the 10th time this season in 14 starts Rochard has thrown 10 or more strikeouts.
With the three shutouts by Rochard this weekend, it marks the first time in school history that Tech has blanked a conference opponent six games in a row. Last year, the Hokies didn't allow a Cavalier to reach home plate, let alone third base. And they followed that up this year once again, with second base being as far they got in the 21.0 innings in Charlottesville.
QUOTING ROCHARD
"I controlled the height of my rise better," Rochard said. "My rise was working a little better today and I mixed all of my pitches."
THE GAME
Though Tech finished the game with just five hits on the day, it was how it played down the stretch by delivering baserunners with a good eye at the plate, getting two walks and some timely hitting in the sixth and seventh innings.
The game was tied all the way until the sixth inning, when Jayme Bailey hit an RBI double down the left-field line to start a rally from the Hokies' bats. Meredith Slaw would then score pinch-runner Rebecca Ludowig on a grounder to second and then Mackenzie Lawter reached on a UVA fielding error, which allowed Bailey to cross home plate for a three-run sixth inning.
In the seventh, the Hokies added some insurance runs with plating four more. Coming in as a pinch hitter, Al Velazquez singled to right center to get it started. Maddi Banks would reenter and eventually score on a sac fly from Bailey to make it 4-0. Then, with two on (Grace Chavez, Kelsey Brown), Slaw hit a three-run home run to right field to put the game away at 7-0.
In the bottom frame, Rochard didn't let the no-no pressure get to her, only throwing five pitches and getting three fly outs to seal it.
NOTES
- Rochard's no-hitter was the second this season and the fifth of her career. The righty has only allowed one run her last 55.0 innings pitched, dating back to Feb. 23.
- Slaw's home run today was her first of the year, fifth of her career.
- Bailey's two extra-base hits were her 10th multi-hit game of the season.
- The previous high of consecutive shutouts against a league opponent was four against NC State between 2007-09.
UP NEXT
Tech will travel to Washington, D.C on Tuesday to face George Washington University at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
COMMONWEALTH CLASH
Virginia leads the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529, 7.5-6.5. Virginia529 is the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics and the University of Virginia Athletics. To learn more about Virginia529 and the competition, visit www.thecommonwealthclash.com.
Gallery: (3/8/2020) 2020 SOFTBALL AT UVA GAME 3