LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In the opening matchup of the Los Angeles Regionals for the NCAA Tournament, No. 17 Virginia Tech defeated San Diego State 5-1 at Easton Stadium.
The Hokies were led by the strong pitching of junior Emma Lemley, who gave up only one hit in the first five innings. Lemley (13-5) pitched all seven innings, surrendering only three hits with six strikeouts. Today's victory marked her 50th career win in the circle.
Tech's batting began to reach its stride during the bottom of the third with three straight hits to put the game's first points on the board. Cameron Fagan earned an RBI following Addy Greene's bunt, moving freshman Annika Rohs to third and setting up the
team's first run.
In the following inning, the Hokies extended their lead with Trinity Martin scoring off Kylie Aldridge's RBI single, which also moved Sara McNelly to third. McNelly would go on to score, stretching Tech's lead to 3-0.
During Friday's win, five different players recorded an RBI, with Greene recording a team-high three hits. Emma Ritter followed closely with two hits of her own. The Hokies would go on to score runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Virginia Tech will play the winner of UCLA vs. Grand Canyon on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.Gallery: (5-18-2024) SB: NCAA Regional Game 1 vs. SDSU