CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 6 Virginia Tech softball team opens ACC play this weekend at No. 14/9 Clemson. The Hokies will take on the Tigers in a three-game series beginning on March 4. Friday's game will be broadcast on ACC Network, while Saturday and Sunday will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hokies fell to RV Charlotte Wednesday afternoon, 5-3, in their first midweek of the season. Tech scored two in the top of the first inning but was unable to hold the lead as Charlotte scored five times over the course of the next six innings. Keely Rochard got the start in the circle for the Hokies, giving up four earned runs off six hits, striking out nine. Offensively, Kelsey Bennett, Emma Ritter and Cameron Fagan led the team going 2-for-4. Bennett also had an RBI on the day. The Hokies outhit the 49ers 9-6 but were unable to push runs across for the comeback.
CLEMSON SERIES
The last time these two teams played each other was at the ACC Tournament Semifinals on May 14 when the Tigers knocked the Hokies out of the tournament by a score of 2-0. Tech has the advantage in Clemson, with the Hokies taking their first-ever series against Clemson 2-1. Tech bounced back from a game one loss to take the second 9-0 (5 inn.) and the third 4-1.
PECK HEATING UP
Freshman Bre Peck has been making an impact in the Hoke lineup, making the start at third base in 10 games, including the last six. She has hit a home run the past two weekends, hitting a solo shot against South Carolina (2/26) and a two-run walk-off against Middle Tennessee State (2/18). Peck currently has seven hits with six RBI. She hit .333 at the Carolina Classic with a .667 slugging percentage.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson enters Friday's matchup on a seven-game win streak and an overall record of 12-3. Most recently, the Tigers defeated Gardner-Webb 6-0. The reigning ACC Player of the Year Valerie Cagle currently leads the team offensively with a .370 batting average, posting 17 hits, three doubles and four home runs. Allie Logoleo has also been strong at the plate with a .366 average and 15 hits. Cagle leads the way in the circle for Clemson, posting a 1.40 ERA with 53 strikeouts.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Rochard has 97 strikeouts on the season so far after her nine-strikeout outing against Charlotte, just three away from 100 on the year. She currently ranks second in school history in career strikeouts with 889, 37 away from Ashlee Dobbe (1999-02). The right-hander is also tied for first in career winning percentage with a .778.
