CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 13/17 Virginia Tech softball team took game one in the Commonwealth Clash, defeating Virginia 9-8 in eight innings. The Hokies plated four runs in the top of the eighth inning to seal the victory.
Sophomore Bre Peck led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a double, a home run, a walk and five RBI. Senior Kelsey Bennett had a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a home run, two walks and two RBI. Junior Cameron Fagan also contributed, going 2-for-3 for Virginia Tech with two walks and an RBI.
Emma Lemley (18-3) got the win in the circle, going all eight innings and striking out eight and walking two for Virginia Tech (30-8, 10-3).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board early, starting their scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning. Virginia Tech scored three times, all of them coming across on a three-run homer off the bat of Peck.
The Cavaliers then gained ground with a solo home run, narrowing the lead to 3-1 until the Hokies expanded their advantage in the second. Virginia Tech scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Fagan, which brought the score to 4-1 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech held Virginia without a run before building their lead to 5-1 in the fifth inning. The Hokies picked up a run on Bennett's two-out solo home run off junior Savanah Henley.
The Cavaliers then evened up the game at five before Virginia Tech fought back to reclaim their advantage in the eighth inning. The Hokies scored four runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Peck, bringing the score to 9-5 in favor of Virginia Tech. Virginia put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, courtesy of another home run, but the Hokies still held on for the 9-8 win.
GAME NOTES
» Senior Kelsey Brown collected four hits on the day for Virginia Tech.
» Lemley struck out eight Cavaliers hitters.
» The Hokies power output was led by Peck, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Peck drove in five runs for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech grabbed a 3-1 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Hokies had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hokies had a total of 15 hits.
» The Hokies out-hit the Cavaliers at a 15-9 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 7-for-15 (.467) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew five walks from Virginia pitching.
Game two of the series is set for 5 p.m. on Friday on ACCNX.