BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The No. 6/5 Hokies took down North Carolina in convincing fashion Friday evening, defeating the Tar Heels 10-0 in five innings. Senior Keely Rochard was dealing on Friday, hurling a two-hit shutout to lead the Hokies with 12 strikeouts
Rochard (11-2) went the distance for Virginia Tech (19-3, 7-0), giving up two hits with only one walk. The right-hander struck out the first eight batters she faced.
Junior Kelsey Brown led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with a grand slam, triple and single with four RBIs. Brown's home run was her first of the season. Sophomore Emma Ritter provided a standout performance as well, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Freshman Bre Peck also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Virginia Tech with a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Brown came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech off a sacrifice fly from Ritter.
The Hokies then tacked on runs in the second and third innings, with their biggest output coming in the second when they scored six times. The big hit in that inning was a grand slam off the bat of Brown.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard tossed a two-hit shutout for the Hokies.
» Brown picked up three hits in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Rochard struck out 12 Tar Heels hitters.
» The Hokies power output was led by Brown, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Brown drove in four runs for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Hokies out-hit the Tar Heels at a 9-2 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew four walks from North Carolina pitching.
» Brown led the Hokies at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a triple, a home run and four RBIs.
» North Carolina was led offensively by sophomore Skyler Brooks, who went 1-for-2.
Gallery: (3-18-2022) SB: UNC Game 1