BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech softball opened its four-game series with Notre Dame Friday at Tech Softball Park with two one-run losses, 2-1 and 6-5.
The No. 15/13 Hokies (28-9, 19-9 ACC) were marred by errors in both games Friday, committing a pair in each. Both runs in Game 1 and three runs in Game 2 scored by the Irish (24-12, 15-10 ACC) were unearned.
Junior pitcher Keely Rochard (20-5) picked up the loss in Game 1 despite throwing a 10-strikeout complete game, her 21st complete game of the season. Freshman Ivy Rosenberry (6-4) got the loss in Game 2 throwing four innings and giving up just three earned runs.
At the plate, the Hokies were led by freshman shortstop Cameron Fagan who had four hits on the day, including going 3 for 4 in Game 2 with one run batted in and a run scored. Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Brown had three hits Friday and also had an RBI and a run.
GAME 1
The Fighting Irish got the low-scoring affair started early in the first inning, scoring a run off of a sacrifice fly to center field, which scored a runner from third who was there from an error. The teams would go scoreless until the fifth inning, when Notre Dame scored on the batter following an error again.
The Hokies did not go quietly as they got a run in the bottom of the seventh inning off a Brown grounder, allowing Mackenzie Lawter to score from third. However, the tying run couldn't get home.
Rochard kept Tech in the game until the end, finishing with 10 strikeouts to just one walk.
GAME 2
Again, the Irish jumped out to an early lead, getting three runs in the second inning, all three of which were unearned. Notre Dame would grow its lead to four in the third inning off a base hit to the outfield.
The Hokies answered in the bottom of the third inning. After Brown and Fagan started the inning with back-to-back singles, Meredith Slaw drove an RBI single up the middle to make it a 4-1 game. Morgan Overaitis then singled to load the bases and Lawter put the ball in play, scoring two more runs off of a fielder's choice and error. Tech tied the game at four from a Kelsey Bennett sacrifice fly.
Notre Dame scored two more in the fourth before Fagan scored Brown on a single in the bottom half, but that would be it for both teams as the game ended 6-5.
Freshman Mackenzie Osborne came in to relieve Rosenberry in the fifth inning, throwing 3.0 innings and allowing just two hits to the Irish.
NOTES
- Fagan led the team with four hits Friday, boosting her season batting average to .415.
- Rochard struck out 10 batters Friday, the 10th time this season she's stuck out double-digit batters.
- Lawter was the only Hokie with multiple RBIs Friday, upping her season total to eight.
UP NEXT
Tech will have another crack at Notre Dame bright and early Saturday as the teams are scheduled to play at 9 a.m. The game can be seen live on ESPNU with Beth Mowins and Michele Smith on the call.Gallery: (4-23-2021) 2021 SOFTBALL VS. NOTRE DAME FRIDAY GAME 1
Gallery: (4-23-2021) 2021 SOFTBALL VS. NOTRE DAME FRIDAY GAME 2