Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. -- A pair of solo home runs by Emma Ritter, a three-run home run from Cameron Fagan and a complete game shutout by Keely Rochard propelled the Virginia Tech softball team to a 6-0 win over Florida in Game 1 of the Blacksburg Super Regional.
The game, which originally began at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, May 27, was suspended due to weather at the end of the fourth inning. The contest's final three innings were played Saturday morning.
Rochard (26-3) went the distance for Virginia Tech (46-8), giving up four hits, walking none and striking out five.
Ritter led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with two home runs, a walk and two RBI. Fagan provided a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Junior Kelsey Bennett also chipped in, going 2-for-2 for Virginia Tech with a double, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Ritter put Virginia Tech on the board with a one-out solo home run off senior Elizabeth Hightower.
The Hokies then tacked on runs in the second, third, and fourth innings, with their biggest output coming in the second when they scored three times. Those three runs came across on a three-run homer from Fagan that scored sophomore Maija Louko and junior Kelsey Brown.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard tossed a four-hit shutout for the Hokies.
» The Hokies got two home runs off the bat of Ritter.
» Ritter had three base hits in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Rochard struck out five Gators hitters.
» The Hokies power output was led by Ritter, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» 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.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit three home runs in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Gators at an 11-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 24 Florida hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and six fly balls while striking out five.
» The Hokies drew four walks from Florida pitching.
» Ritter led the Hokies at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and two RBI.
» Florida was led offensively by freshman Kendra Falby, who went 1-for-3.
» Sophomore Haley Pittman led the Gators pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.