Hokies sweep doubleheader, take series at ClemsonHokies sweep doubleheader, take series at Clemson
Ken Ruinard
Softball

Hokies sweep doubleheader, take series at Clemson


CLEMSON, S.C. – After losing Game 1 of the series Thursday, Virginia Tech softball battled back Friday, taking both games of the doubleheader at Clemson, 9-0 in five innings and 4-1.
 
The No. 14/15 Hokies (5-1, 2-1 ACC) shook off the opening defeat to the Tigers (3-2, 1-2 ACC) and outscored them 13-1 Friday afternoon. Freshman Ivy Rosenberry (2-0) threw another complete-game shutout in Game 1 and Keely Rochard (3-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of Game 2. The pitchers combined to allow just six hits to Clemson on the day.
 
"It was a big day for our program," Head coach Pete D'Amour said. "Clemson is a top 20 caliber team and it really speaks to the depth of the ACC this year. Ivy was lights out again and our defense played extremely well all day. Keely bounced back and gave us a nice start on her second day."
 
Sophomore Kelsey Brown had a day on both sides of the ball, registering five hits, three stolen bases, three runs scored and had two incredible catches in left field.
 


 
Tech also got big offensive games from Jayme Bailey and Meredith Slaw, who each had four RBIs and three-run home runs Friday. Grace Chavez hit a solo homer in Game 2 for her first bomb of the season.
 
After recording three errors Thursday, the Hokies' defense came to play Friday, turning five double plays including the game-ender in the series finale. Tech had not had a double play on the season before Friday.
 
"No rest for the weary," D'Amour said. "We have a big series left this weekend."
 
GAME 1
The Hokies, who were the designated home team, took the lead in the bottom of the second off an RBI groundout from Slaw, allowing Bailey to score from third. Next batter, Addy Greene doubled down the right field line to bring in pinch runner Rebecca Ludowig and double Tech's lead.
 
Tech broke the game open in the third inning, scoring seven runs all without giving up an out. Morgan Overaitis started it with an RBI single, her first as a Hokie, that Brown scored on. Bailey then cranked a three-run shot over the right field wall. Three batters later, Slaw took one deep to right center, giving the Hokies three more runs.
 
Despite the nine runs, Rosenberry didn't let up, retiring six of the last seven batters for her second complete game shutout in as many starts.
 
GAME 2
Tech wasted no time getting on the board in the series finale, as the second batter of the game, Cameron Fagan, singled to bring in Brown from second base. The Hokies would tack on another in the first after a Bailey double brought Fagan home. Chavez gave Tech a 3-0 lead in the third inning off a solo homer that went soaring over the left-field wall.
 
After Clemson scored a run in the bottom of the sixth, Tech got it right back in the top of the seventh with a Fagan single that brought none other than Brown in to score.  
 
Rochard was dealing in the game, taking a no-hitter to the sixth inning before allowing the Tigers a run off of a double. The junior finished off the win retiring three of the final four batters.
 
NOTES

  • Slaw tied her career high with four RBIs in Game 1 Friday, marking the third time she's had a four-RBI game.

 

  • Six Hokies have started all six games this season: Bailey, Fagan, Slaw, Kelsey Bennett, Addy Greene and Mackenzie Lawter. Brown has played in all six games, starting four.

 

  • Rosenberry threw her second complete game shutout in her second career start Friday. The freshman has allowed just six hits in 11.0 innings of work this season.

 

  • Bailey had a double and a home run in Friday's games, giving her five extra-base hits our of seven total on the season: three doubles, one triple and one home run. She leads the team in RBIs with eight through six games.

 

  • After allowing just one run Friday, Rochard owns a season ERA of 0.56. She's given up just two earned runs in 25.0 innings pitched this season.

 

  • Fagan extended her hitting streak Friday to six games to begin the year. The freshman is leading the team with nine hits.

 
 
UP NEXT
The Hokies are off to Atlanta for a three-game series against No. 13/14 Florida State (6-1, 3-0 ACC). FSU and VT have been picked No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference, respectively, for the past two seasons.Gallery: (2-20-2021) 2021 SOFTBALL SERIES AT CLEMSON