Hokie ClubMOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The No. 17/18 Hokies swept the first day of the Charleston Invitational with two shutout victories as they defeated Fordham, 12-0 and North Dakota State, 8-0 at the Patriots Point Complex.
Tech’s pitchers put on a masterclass as only two hits were allowed over both games. Emma Lemley finished the day with 14 strikeouts through six innings against Fordham while Emma Mazzarone and Sophie Kleiman combined for one hit allowed and five strikeouts against NDSU.
How It Happened - Virginia Tech 12, Fordham 0
Emma Lemley was a star for the Hokies in the circle as she kicked the game off with nine straight strikes for three strikeouts. That momentum carried over to the top of the second as the Hokies exploded for six runs.
Jayden Jones got the scoring started with her first collegiate hit, an RBI-double to right center, to score Bre Peck. Hits from Emma Mazzarone, Annika Rohs and Jordan Lynch continued the scoring, and Cori McMillan capped off the six-run inning with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Rohs hit her first collegiate home run in the third inning to extend the Hokie lead. Zoe Yaeger and Michelle Chatfield each knocked in a run before Peck’s three-run shot to center field made it a 12-0 contest.
Lemley shined throughout the six innings with her 14 strikeouts. It was the most strikeouts for the Forest, Va., native since her 14 strikeouts against Charlotte last season (March 22, 2023).
How it Happened - Virginia Tech 8, North Dakota State 0
Tech struck first in the bottom of the third and never took its foot off the gas. Singles from Michelle Chatfield and Bre Peck brought in the first three runs and Emily LeGette’s double to left center drove in two more to make it 5-0.
Emma Mazzarone held the Bison from scoring as she pitched four innings and only allowed one hit. In the bottom of the fourth, a blast from Cori McMillan made it an 8-0 game heading into the fifth.
Sophie Kleiman and Mazzarone combined for five strikeouts and allowed just one hit through five innings in the circle.
Game Notes
• The Hokies improved to 14-2 against Fordham and 1-1 against NDSU in all-time matchups
• Tech improved to 28-1-1 in opening weekend matchups under head coach Pete D’Amour
• This marks the first time the Hokies have earned two shutout wins on opening day since 2021
• The Hokies went a perfect 4-of-4 on stolen bases over both games
• Emma Lemley recorded 14 strikeouts through six innings pitched and allowed just one hit against Fordham
• Emma Mazzarone and Sophie Kleiman combined for five strikeouts and gave up just one hit through five innings of work against NDSU
• Annika Rohs hit the first Hokie home run of 2025 with a solo shot to left field. It was the sophomore’s first career home run
• Bre Peck went 3-for-6 on opening day with a team-leading six RBIs and one home run
• Also adding a home run was Cori McMillan who finished the day 1-of-3 with four walks
• Michelle Chatfield, Emily LeGette and Zoe Yaeger all recorded two-RBI days
• Kleiman, along with freshmen Jayden Jones and Jordan Lynch, made their Hokie debuts on Day One of the Charleston Invitational
• Both Jones and Lynch recorded an RBI in Tech’s 12-0 win over the Rams
Up Next
No. 17/18 Virginia Tech (2-0) returns to action against North Dakota State at 12:30 p.m. and the College of Charleston at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Mount Pleasant, S.C.