CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 8/9 Virginia Tech softball team heads south to compete in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational, presented by EvoShield from Feb. 17-19. The Hokies will take on three College World Series teams from a season ago, with all five teams making the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 17
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #5/5 Oklahoma State | 10AM | ESPNU
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. RV/RV Nebraska | 4PM | ACC Network
Saturday, Feb. 18
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #2/2 UCLA | 4PM | ESPNU
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #10/15 Arizona | 7PM | ESPN+
Sunday, Feb. 19
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. South Florida | Noon | ESPN+
STRONG START
The Hokies started the season off strong with a run-rule victory against East Carolina, recording 11 hits during the season opener. Bre Peck led the offense, going 1-for-2 with a home run, walk and three RBI. Freshman Teagan Thrunk had a memorable debut, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Emma Lemley tossed a four-hit shutout in the circle, striking out seven Pirates. The Hokies finished their opening weekend with a 5-0 record for the second straight season. Tech outscored opponents 32-3 and the pitching staff recorded a 0.23 ERA over the five games played.
BAILEY'S BAT
Jayme Bailey went 10-for-14 last weekend to kick off her fifth year as a Hokie. Throughout the weekend, she recorded one double, one triple and one home run while contributing five RBI and three runs. Bailey led the team with a .741 batting average on the weekend and also stole two bases.
STAFF DEBUT
The Hokie pitching staff consisting of Grein, Jacobson, Lemley and Peck worked together to average a 0.23 ERA on the weekend. The four pitchers only allowed four walks and three runs the entire weekend. Newcomer Lyndsey Grein pitched the most innings for the staff with 14, striking out 11, nine of them against UNC Wilmington, a regional team a season ago. Molly Jacobson and utility player Bre Peck also made their pitching debuts this season where they combined to toss a shutout against Purdue Fort Wayne. This is Peck's first season on the pitching staff, playing primarily at 3rd base last season. Peck was the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019 and has a perfect game in the state quarterfinals on her resume.
UP NEXT
The Hokies continue their road trip next weekend, traveling to Austin, Texas to compete in the Lone Star State Invitational. Tech will take on No. 9/13 Texas twice, as well as Abilene Christian and Texas Southern.
