Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Trailing 4-1 heading into the top of the seventh, Kentucky softball had some late-game heroics to knock off No. 3 Virginia Tech 5-4 on Saturday at Tech Softball Park to advance to the regional final. The Hokies will play later in the night against the winner of Miami (Ohio)-Saint Francis (Pa.) for another shot at the Wildcats.
Tech (42-8) got out to a strong start, with designated player Meredith Slaw hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the first to give the Hokies some cushion early. Emma Lemley (15-5) started the game in the circle and was lights out, holding the Wildcats (37-17) to one run through six innings with six strikeouts and just one walk.
Keely Rochard (24-3) came in for Lemley in the top of the seventh after Lemley allowed a single to the leadoff hitter and then ensued Kentucky getting hot. A couple of singles took place then a go-ahead, three-run home run by Renee Abernathy gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tech would get a runner on and then a close play at first was reviewed and deemed that Tech's batter-runner did not make it to first in time for the final out.
Gallery: (5-21-2022) SB: NCAA Blacksburg Regional Game 2 vs. Kentucky