LEESBURG, Fla. --Senior Keely Rochard posted her second win of the season, punching out 11 Missouri hitters over seven innings of work to help propel the No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies over the No. 11 Tigers 4-3.
In addition to her 11 strikeouts, Rochard (2-0) threw seven innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and walking one for Virginia Tech (4-0).
Junior Kelsey Brown led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with two RBIs. Junior Jayme Bailey furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Senior Mackenzie Lawter also chipped in, going 1-for-2 for Virginia Tech with a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the third inning. Virginia Tech scored twice on a two-run double off the bat of Bailey.
The score stayed at 2-2 until the very next inning, when the Hokies put runs on the scoreboard once again. Virginia Tech scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Brown, which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of the Hokies.
Missouri fired back to tie the ballgame at three before Virginia Tech reclaimed a 4-3 advantage in the sixth inning. The Hokies scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Brown. The score remained 4-3 for the rest of the game, as Virginia Tech held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard struck out 11 Tigers hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Tigers at a 10-6 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Rochard faced 28 Missouri hitters in the game, allowing one ground ball and eight fly balls while striking out 11.
» Brown led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
» Missouri was led offensively by sophomore Jenna Laird, who went 2-for-3.