TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 8 Virginia Tech softball team continues its road trip this weekend, heading South to compete in the Easton Bama Bash from Feb. 18-20. The Hokies games against No. 2 Alabama will be streamed live on SECN+.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 18 | 5 p.m. ET | at No. 2 Alabama
Friday, Feb. 18 | 7:30 p.m. ET | vs. Middle Tennessee State
Saturday, Feb. 19 | Noon ET | vs. Evansville
Saturday, Feb. 19 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 2 Alabama
Sunday, Feb. 20 | Noon ET | vs. Evansville
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies went 5-0 in their opening weekend, defeating Wisconsin, RV Northwestern, Michigan State, then-No. 11 Mizzou and then-No. 19 Kentucky. Three of Tech's victories were one-run wins, while the bats exploded for a 6-1 win over Kentucky for its largest margin of victory on the weekend. Keely Rochard and Kelsey Bennett were named to the All-Tournament Team, while Rochard was named the Most Outstanding Player.
RACKING UP THE Ks
The Virginia Tech pitching staff combined for 62 total strikeouts last weekend, compared to only 17 by opponents. Rochard led the way with 34 total over 20.1 innings. Emma Lemley also added 23 in 10.2 innings. Mackenzie Osborne came on in relief against Michigan State and had five strikeouts over three innings. As a whole, the pitching staff currently has a 1.24 ERA and a .149 batting average against.
BENNETT DOING BENNETT THINGS
Junior Kelsey Bennett picked up where she left off in 2021, hitting .615 in her opening weekend in 13 at bats. The shortstop posted eight hits, including two doubles, with two RBIs and two runs scored. She finished her weekend with a .769 slugging percentage as well as a .688 on base percentage.
LEMLEY DEBUT
Freshman Emma Lemley impressed in her freshman debut, getting the 5-4 win over Wisconsin in the season opener. Against the Badgers, the right-hander thew 6.2 innings, striking out 16 and giving up only one earned run on one hit. She also received the win in the 5-1 victory over Michigan State, throwing four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out seven. Lemley finished her weekend with a 0.66 ERA with a 0.79 batting average against. She gave up three hits and four runs over her 10.2 innings pitched.
UP NEXT
After returning home from Tuscaloosa, Virginia Tech will make the short trip over to Radford for a midweek matchup against the Highlanders on Wednesday. Tech will then play its final tournament of the season in Columbia, S.C. at the Carolina Classic. The Hokies will take on Miami (OH), Ohio State, South Carolina and Troy from Feb. 25-27.
