Hokie ClubCLEMSON, S.C. -- Freshman Emma Lemley was dealing on Saturday, throwing a three-hit shutout to lead the No. 6 Virginia Tech Hokies over the No. 14/9 Clemson Tigers 4-0.
Lemley (6-1) went the distance for Virginia Tech (13-3, ), giving up three hits, walking none and striking out 10. The 4-0 win over Clemson was the Hokies first shutout over a top-10 ranked team in 14 years, the last being a 1-0 victory over No. 6 Michigan in the Super Regionals on May 25, 2008.
Junior Kelsey Bennett led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with a double and three RBIs, a season-high for the junior. Sophomore Emma Ritter continued to impress at the plate as well, going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, also a season-high in hits for Ritter. Junior Kelsey Brown also contributed, going 2-for-3 for Virginia Tech with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Virginia Tech pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Bennett.
The Hokies also added runs in the third and fifth innings on the way to the 4-0 victory.
GAME NOTES
» Lemley tossed a three-hit shutout for the Hokies.
» Virginia Tech got three-hit games from both Ritter and Bennett.
» Lemley struck out 10 Tigers hitters.
» Virginia Tech took a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Hokies had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Tigers at an 11-3 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Bennett led the Hokies at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.