BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The No. 10/13 Virginia Tech softball team opened the ACC season with a win, also securing its first home victory with a 7-0 shutout of NC State on Friday afternoon. This is the Hokies sixth shutout of the season.
Sophomore Emma Lemley got the win, throwing a two-hit shutout. This is her fourth game this season with double digit strikeouts.
Lemley (7-1) went the distance for Virginia Tech (12-4, 1-0), giving up two hits, walking one and striking out 10.
Sophomore Bre Peck led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 1-for-2 in the ballgame with a triple and scoring on an NC State error. Senior Kelsey Bennett also helped out at the plate going 1-for-2 with two RBI. Senior Jayme Bailey also contributed, going 2-for-4 for Virginia Tech with two singles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies wasted no time in the bottom of the first, scoring four to open the game for the offense. Tech's offense put up four runs, capitalizing on an NC State error and three straight singles to push the lead to 4-0 at the end of the first.
The Hokies also added runs in the second and fifth innings on the way to the 7-0 victory. The second inning saw Peck score off a triple, turning into an inside-the-park home run due to a throwing error by the Wolfpack right fielder. In the fifth, another error and a sacrifice fly from Bennett brought the lead to 7-0.
GAME NOTES
» Lemley tossed a two-hit shutout for the Hokies.
» Lemley struck out 10 Wolfpack hitters.
» Virginia Tech grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Hokies out-hit the Wolf Pack at a 9-2 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies got three hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Peck led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a triple.
The Hokies and Wolfpack are set for game two of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Gallery: (3-3-2023) SB: NC State Game 1