Hokie ClubTUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 15/17 Virginia Tech went 2-0 on the first day of the Easton Bama Bash with wins over Drake (8-0) and No. 21/23 Alabama (2-1).
Emma Lemley pitched a gem against the Crimson Tide as she tallied six strikeouts with no walks through seven complete innings.
How It Happened: Virginia Tech 8, Drake 0
The Hokies had several opportunities to put runs on the board through the first three innings but did not strike until the bottom of the fourth.
The Hokies exploded for six runs, starting with an RBI triple from Lyla Blackwell to make it 1-0. A Jayden Jones double and a Jordan Lynch single brought in two more and Cori McMillan’s double to left center made it a 4-0 contest.
Bre Peck capped off the stellar fourth inning with a two-RBI single up the middle.
The Hokies tacked on an run in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Emma Mazzarone reached on a fielder’s choice and Cori McMIllan advanced home to secure the 8-0 win.
Sophie Kleiman tallied seven strikeouts against the Bulldogs for her third win of the season.
How It Happened: Virginia Tech 2, Alabama 1
It was a pitcher’s duel early on in the contest as Emma Lemley struck out six batters her first time through the Alabama order.
The Hokies got on the board in the top of the fourth when Kylie Aldridge grounded to shortstop and made it to first before the Crimson Tide could turn the double play – bringing Cori McMillan home.
Zoe Yaeger led off the top of the sixth inning with a walk and McMillan wasted no time bringing her home as she blasted a double to left center for the RBI.
Alabama threatened in the bottom of the sixth after the Tide’s Larissa Preuitt singled through the right side to bring in a run, but a stellar throw from McMillan in right field got the runner out trying to advance to third – limiting Alabama to just one run in the sixth.
With Alabama runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Lyla Blackwell made a diving catch in left field for the third out of the game as the Hokies secured the 2-1 win.
Lemley struck out six batters and allowed just five hits for her fourth win of the season.
Game Notes
• The Hokies are now 1-0 against Drake and 2-7 against Alabama in all-time matchups
• Tech has now defeated Alabama in back-to-back seasons
• Cori McMillan went 4-for-5 over both games and was one of two Hokies to tally two RBIs on the day
• McMillan also had two doubles and two stolen bases
• Kylie Aldridge tied McMillan with a team-leading two doubles
• Bre Peck also tallied two RBIs and went 2-for-7 on the day
• Lyla Blackwell recorded her first extra-base hit of her career with an RBI triple against Drake
• Aldridge, Blackwell, Jayden Jones, Jordan Lynch and Peck each tallied two hits
• Emma Lemley earned her second win of the season against a ranked opponent and fourth overall. She tallied six strikeouts and no walks against the Crimson Tide.
• Sophie Kleiman is now 3-0 on the season with her win against Drake. She recorded six strikeouts in her complete-game victory.
Up Next
No. 15/17 Virginia Tech (10-2) continues play at the Easton Bama Bash with a doubleheader against Southern Utah (3-8) on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.