Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. -- The No. 6/5 Hokies defeated North Carolina 8-5 Saturday afternoon, securing the ACC series for the third straight weekend. The Hokies improve to 8-0 in conference play and off to a 20-3 start, their best start since going 22-3-1 in 2015. Freshman Emma Lemley got the start and the win in the circle on Saturday, punching out nine North Carolina hitters over 5.1 innings of work to help power Tech over the Tar Heels.
In addition to her nine strikeouts, Lemley (8-1) went 5.1 innings, giving up five runs, on four hits and walking two for Virginia Tech. Keely Rochard came on in the fifth, throwing 1.2 innings to earn her third save of the season. She finished the day with three strikeouts, giving up two hits.
In the batter's box, the Hokies were paced by sophomore Cameron Fagan, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Freshman Bre Peck continued to perform well at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Junior Kelsey Brown also chipped in for Virginia Tech, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate, adding an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies scored in six different innings on the way to victory. Virginia Tech broke a 3-3 tie and took the lead for good at 5-3 in the third inning The Hokies added their two runs when a single from Brown scored Peck and junior Jayme Bailey. The Tar Heels plated two in the top of the sixth but Peck blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to push the lead back to 8-3, as the defense held on for the win in the seventh.
GAME NOTES
» Fagan picked up three base knocks in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Lemley struck out nine Tar Heels hitters.
» The Hokies had both Peck and Fagan smack multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Virginia Tech pitching staff combined to strike out 12 North Carolina hitters.
» The Hokies out-hit the Tar Heels at a 12-6 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew four walks from North Carolina pitching.
» Fagan led the Hokies at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
» North Carolina was led offensively by senior Taylor Greene, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
Gallery: (3-19-2022) SB: UNC Game 2