BLACKSBURG – After playing nine straight games on the road, No. 15/13 Virginia Tech softball will be back at Tech Softball Park this Wednesday in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. vs. Longwood.
The two schools will meet for the first time since 2019, when Tech won twice in a doubleheader on April 30. The Hokies lead the all-time series by a slim margin, 14-12, and have won four of the last five contests.
Tech is 8-5 in the series at home, with the last loss in Blacksburg coming on April 17, 2013. The Hokies are 6-2 when ranked and facing the Lancers.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Wednesday vs. Longwood (DH) at 4 p.m. ET | Watch | Stats
LAST TIME OUT
Playing on Sunday in the four-game series finale at then-No. 12/14 Duke, Tech's Mackenzie Lawter hit a solo home run, but it would not be enough as the Hokies fell 3-1. Tech outhit Duke 8-3, but left eight runners on base, which proved to be the distance. The game was knotted at 1-all in the sixth, but the Blue Devils hit a two-run single through the right side that ended up being the game-winning runs.
WHO TO WATCH
Going 2-1 this past weekend, pitcher Keely Rochard racked up 20 strikeouts in 20.0 innings. The reigning ACC Pitcher of the Week has faced Longwood twice in her storied career. (More on page 3)
Catcher Mackenzie Lawter showed out in Durham, batting .500 (6 for 12) on the weekend. The junior hit her first home run of the season and also had a double in the fourth game too.
SCOUTING LONGWOOD
Record: 15-16 (6-3 Big South)
Head coach: Kathy Riley (749-431, 24th season)
All-time series: Tech leads 14-12
The Lancers are coming off getting swept by Campbell (12-10, 5-1 Big South) this past weekend in in Farmville, Virginia. Of the three games, they scored one run and allowed 18.
