BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The No. 10/13 Virginia Tech softball team completed the three-game sweep of NC State on Sunday to open ACC play. The Hokies took down the Wolfpack 10-1 in six innings to open conference play 3-0.
The Hokies continued to capitalize on the long ball, hitting two more on Sunday for 33 on the year.
Sophomore Emma Lemley earned her third win of the weekend, striking out nine NC State hitters over six innings of work to help propel the Hokies to the sweep.
In addition to her nine strikeouts, Lemley (9-1) threw six innings, giving up one run on three hits and walking one for Virginia Tech (14-4, 3-0).
At the plate, the Hokies were led by Emma Ritter who went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Junior Cameron Fagan went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and three RBI, including a sacrifice bunt to put the Hokies on the board for the first time in the third. Senior Jayme Bailey compiled a standout effort as well, going 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Junior Maija Louko came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech, capitalizing on the sac bunt from Fagan.
The Wolfpack then tied the ballgame at one off a solo home run before the Hokies came back to reclaim their advantage in the fourth inning. Virginia Tech scored twice on Bailey's two-run homer, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech kept NC State without a run before building its lead to 10-1 in the sixth inning. The Hokie bats heated up in the inning, scoring seven runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Fagan and a two-run single from freshman Teagan Thrunk. The two-run home run from Fagan clinched the run-rule victory for the Hokies.
GAME NOTES
» Ritter had three base knocks in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Lemley struck out nine Wolfpack hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed seven runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Wolfpack at an 8-3 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew four walks from NC State pitching.
» Fagan went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
The Hokies are back in action on Tuesday, hosting Mount St. Mary's in a doubleheader at 4 and 6 p.m.
Gallery: (3-5-2023) SB: NC State Game 3