CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The No. 8/9 Virginia Tech softball team ended day one in Clearwater with a win, defeating RV Nebraska 6-4. The Hokies received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping Tech put six runs on the board and knock off the Cornhuskers.
The Hokies sent three more balls over the fence in the win, ending the day with eight home runs total.
Sophomore Emma Lemley (3-0) got the win for Virginia Tech (6-1). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up four runs, allowing no walks and striking out five.
At the plate, the Hokies were led by junior Madison Hanson, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Bre Peck went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Senior Kelsey Bennett also chipped in for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI. Hanson, Peck and Bennett all hit their second home run of the day against Nebraska.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies jumped out to an early lead, pushing two runs across the plate in the top of the first, taking advantage of two Nebraska errors.
The Cornhuskers battled back, narrowing the lead to 2-1 until the Hokies expanded their advantage in the third. Virginia Tech picked up a run on Peck's one-out solo home run off of senior Courtney Wallace, which brought the Hokies lead to 3-1.
Virginia Tech kept Nebraska without a run before expanding the lead to 4-1 the following inning. The Hokies scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior Jayme Bailey.
The Cornhuskers then evened up the ballgame at four before Virginia Tech fought back to reclaim the advantage in the fifth inning. The Hokies pushed across a run on Bennett's leadoff homer off Wallace, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Virginia Tech.
The Hokies expanded their lead to 6-4 in the seventh inning off of Hanson's two-out solo home run off of junior Kaylin Kinney. The score remained 6-4 for the rest of the game, as the Hokies held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Junior Cameron Fagan picked up three base knocks in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Lemley struck out five Cornhuskers hitters.
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win.
» Virginia Tech took a 2-1 lead in the top 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.
» Lemley limited Nebraska to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Hanson led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
The Hokies are back in action tomorrow at the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational, presented by EvoShield, taking on No. 2 UCLA and No. 10 Arizona at 4 and 7 p.m.
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Gallery: (2-17-2023) SB: vs. Nebraska at Clearwater