Hokie ClubTUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Virginia Tech defeated Belmont, 5-0, in the opening game of the Tuscaloosa Regional on Friday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium.
Emma Lemley pitched a one-hitter against the Bruins and finished the game with nine strikeouts. At the plate, Kylie Aldridge and Jordan Lynch went yard to pave the way for the 5-0 win.
How It Happened: Virginia Tech 5, Belmont 0
In her first NCAA Regional at bat, Jordan Lynch sent a solo shot over the right field fence to put Tech up 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
Emma Lemley started strong in the circle through the first three innings and held Belmont without a base runner.
The Hokies exploded for four runs in the bottom of the third. After Cori McMillan walked and stole second, Lynch stepped up again and delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it 2-0. Zoe Yaeger followed it up with an RBI triple and Kylie Aldridge sent her sixth home run of the season over the right field fence to make it 5-0 Tech through three innings.
Lemley gave up her first hit in the top of the fifth, but with runners on first and second and no outs, she got out of the jam with no Bruins crossing the plate.
Cassie Grizzard came in and sealed the deal for the Hokies in the top of the seventh to secure the 5-0 win.
Lemley threw a one-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Game Notes
• The Hokies improved to 25-22 in NCAA Regional play
• Tech is now 2-0 in all-time matchups against Belmont
• Tech is now 15-2 in neutral games this season
• The shutout marks the Hokies’ 22nd of the season – the second most in Division I
• Emma Lemley pitched a one-hit gem and recorded nine strikeouts
• Lemley now has 18 wins on the season
• She has pitched two one-hit games in the past three outings
• Jordan Lynch was huge for the Hokies as she knocked in her eighth home run of the season
• She went 2-for-3 with two RBIs
• Kylie Aldridge hit her sixth home run of the season – a two-run shot to right center
• Zoe Yaeger recorded an RBI as well with her first triple of the season
• Cassie Grizzard came in for relief and struck out one batter in the final inning of the game
Up Next
Virginia Tech (42-11, 18-6 ACC) advances to the Winner’s Bracket of the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Hokies will face the winner of Alabama/Jackson State on Friday at noon ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The game will be televised on ESPN+.