RADFORD, Va. – The No. 7 Virginia Tech Softball team makes the short trip to Radford Wednesday afternoon for a 4 p.m. matchup vs. the Highlanders.
Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies are coming off a weekend spent in Tuscaloosa where they took on No. 2 Alabama, Evansville and Middle Tennessee State. Tech battled against the Tide, outhitting the No. 2 team in the country in both games, but couldn't push a run across, falling 1-0 the first game and 2-0 in the second meeting. The Hokies finished the weekend 3-2, putting up wins against Evansville (5-1, 5-0) and Middle Tennessee State (3-2). Against Middle Tennessee State, freshman Bre Peck hit a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh to push Tech to victory.
TOP TEN HOKIES
Virginia Tech was ranked No. 7 by USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball on Tuesday afternoon, its highest ranking in school history. The Hokies were previously ranked 8th, tying the 2008 team. Tech also received its highest preseason ranking in school history, entering the 2022 season as the No. 10 team by ESPN.com/USA Softball.
DUAL THREAT
Senior Keely Rochard and freshman Emma Lemley have been lethal in the circle for the Hokies, putting up impressive numbers last weekend at the Easton Bama Bash. Rochard ended her weekend with a 0.50 ERA and 27 strikeouts, including striking out 11 Alabama batters. She gave up only one earned run on four hits. Lemley has been equally as impressive, going 2-1 on the weekend with a 1.20 ERA. She threw 11.2 innings, racking up 21 strikeouts and giving up only two earned runs in her three appearances. She currently leads the NCAA in strikeouts per seven innings with 13.8.
LAWTER LONG BALL
Senior Mackenzie Lawter has hit a home run two weekends in a row to lead the Hokies in the long ball. Lawter hit the first home run of the season against Wisconsin, a two-run shot to left. She followed that up with a three-run shot in the win over Evansville on Sunday to lead the team with three RBIs.
UP NEXT
The Hokies continue their time on the road, making the trip to Columbia, S.C. to play in the Carolina Classic from Feb. 25-27. Tech will take on Ohio State, Miami (OH), South Carolina and Troy during their time in Columbia.