BLACKSBURG – Facing its in-state rival at home on Wednesday in the Commonwealth Clash, No. 19/16 Virginia Tech softball came away with a 7-0 victory over Virginia at Tech Softball Park thanks to a one-hit, complete-game shutout by pitcher Keely Rochard.
Rochard (12-1, 0.88 ERA) was lights out once again, tallying nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work against the Cavaliers (8-16, 4-13 ACC), who lost their 11th straight game to the Hokies (16-4, 10-4).
The righty had a no-hitter with one out left in the bottom of the seventh, but a slow-roller to second base was beaten out by UVA's Abby Weaver to end the no-hit bid. Rochard, who was named NFCA and ACC Pitcher of the Week earlier this week, has now tallied four consecutive one-hitters in a row.
At the plate, left fielder Kelsey Brown (.421 BA, 11 SBs) had her A-game, racking up a game-high three hits on the day and posted an RBI, as well. Fellow outfielder Emma Ritter (.306 BA, 9 SBs) also had a multi-hit day herself, turning in two hits – a grounder to third base she beat out and a liner to right center.
QUOTING TECH PITCHER KEELY ROCHARD
On what's been working for her so well as of late:
""Really, everything," Rochard said. "Everything is really working pretty well recently. The rise (ball) is just working better this past week. And then my defense behind me has been really good, too."
QUOTING TECH OUTFIELDER KELSEY BROWN
On what has made the team so successful this year:
"I think the culture has been really good," Brown said. "We have a great group and everyone really gets along. We know how to hit, play defense and we pitch well. Our coaches are great, too. I feel like we do it right here, with respecting the game. And because of that, the game respects us and do well."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rochard went to work in the first inning, getting the Wahoos to go three up, three down. She induced a grounder to third the first at-bat, then got consecutive swinging strikeouts.
A quiet two innings at the plate then happened for Tech, but it woke up after that by scoring in four straight innings. Brown opened the door in the bottom of the third, with a single up the middle to plate Ritter for the game's first run.
Designated player Grace Chavez followed in the next frame with a solo home run to straightaway center. Then Michigan transfer Morgan Overaitis earned a sacrifice fly to right, scoring pinch runner Maija Louko to make it 3-0 after four innings.
Chavez got another RBI in the fifth, getting a sac fly to right to score pinch runner Maddy Federico. Then the biggest scoring inning of the day came in the bottom of the sixth, when Overaitis hit a blast to right center for a solo shot, catcher Mackenzie Lawter doubled to left center, scoring Ritter, and center fielder Darby Trull reached first on an error by the second baseman, allowing Lawter to cross home for the game's final run.
Two flyouts to the outfield began the bottom of the seventh, then on a 1-2 count, Weaver hit it just by Rochard towards second and Overaitis made a great play to run in, scoop it and throw it across her body to first base, but Weaver just made it in time, as the first-base umpire Jamie Robinson waved his hands safe. Rochard would regroup, though, and get the next out, with a flyout to center to end it.
NOTES
- With her nine strikeouts on the day, Rochard is now just 26 strikeouts away from passing Jasmin Harrell (2010-13) for the fifth-most in school history. Harrell racked up 588.
- Brown, who transferred from JMU and is in her second season in Blacksburg, posted her second three-hit game of the season (Feb. 19, Clemson) and it was the fifth of her career. The Haymarket, Virginia native is tied for the team lead in hits this season with 24 (Jayme Bailey, 24).
- Third baseman Kelsey Bennett hit her first triple of the season, a liner down the right-field line, and it marked the fifth of her career. The Georgia native is slugging a ridiculous team-high .846 clip, which ranks fourth in the ACC.
- Tech coach Pete D'Amour improves to a perfect 7-0 against UVA, including a 37-0 run differential in the series. The Hokies now lead the all-time series 47-22.
UP NEXT
- After playing seven games in a row in the friendly confines of Tech Softball Park, Tech will hit the road for a four-game ACC series with Louisville (9-11, 3-6) this weekend. Action will be from Friday-Sunday and all four contests will be available to view on ACC Network Extra.Gallery: (3-24-2021) 2021 SOFTBALL VS. VIRGINIA
