Hokie ClubTUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Freshman Emma Lemley and senior Keely Rochard combined to toss a shutout on Sunday as the No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies blanked the Evansville Purple Aces 5-0.
Lemley (4-1) started and picked up the win for Virginia Tech (8-2), going four shutout innings while giving up one hit, walking none, and striking out nine. Rochard was dealing out of the bullpen as well, going three shutout innings, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out five.
In the batter's box, the Hokies were led by senior Mackenzie Lawter, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and three RBIs. Sophomore Emma Ritter furnished a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a triple. Junior Morgan Overaitis also helped out for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies took the lead in the fourth and didn't look back, scoring for the first time in the inning. Sophomore Addy Greene's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Virginia Tech.
Tech then tacked on runs in the sixth inning when they scored three times. Those three runs came across on a three-run homer from Lawter that scored Ritter and Greene.
GAME NOTES
» Lemley and Rochard combined to throw a two-hit shutout.
» Lemley struck out nine Purple Aces hitters.
» The Virginia Tech pitching staff combined to strike out 14 Evansville hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Purple Aces at a 7-2 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-10 (.300) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers limited Evansville to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 23 Evansville hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and two fly balls while striking out 14.
» Lawter led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Evansville was led offensively by sophomore A. Davis, who went 1-for-3 with a double.