Hokie ClubTUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Virginia Tech stayed alive in the Tuscaloosa Regional with a 11-1 (6 inn.) victory over Belmont on Saturday night at Rhoads Stadium.
The Hokies advance to Sunday’s regional final and will play Alabama at 2 p.m. ET.
Tech advanced with the help of five home runs in Saturday’s win over Belmont – highlighted by freshman Jordan Lynch hitting two home runs.
How It Happened: Virginia Tech 11, Belmont 1
The Hokies plated two quick in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded, Bre Peck delivered her third sacrifice fly of the year with her fly out to the warning track, allowing Jordan Lynch to score.
With runners on first and third, Kylie Aldridge successfully drew the throw down to second on an attempted steal and got out in a rundown – but not before pinch runner Charlotte Moore scored from third – to give Tech an early 2-0 lead.
Tech added another run thanks to a solo shot from Emily LeGette in the top of the second. The sophomore blasted her fourth home run of the season to right center to extend the lead to 3-0.
Kleiman was dealing in the circle but found her and the Hokies in a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third, but a leaping catch from Trinity Martin left field secured the third out to keep the Bruins scoreless.
It was not until the top of the fifth when the Hokies scored again. With Annika Rohs on base after a walk, Jordan Lynch ripped a home run to right field – her second of the weekend against Belmont – to add on to the Tech lead.
The Hokies exploded for six runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by three home runs. After back-to-back hits by Aldridge and Bre Peck, Trinity Martin blasted a three-run home run to right field to extend the Hokie lead to 8-0.
With two outs, Cori McMillan sent her nation-leading 31st home run of the season out of the park. Lynch followed her up with a back-to-back jack and sent her second home run of the day to right field to secure the 11-0 lead.
Cassie Grizzard came in for relief and despite Belmont scoring a run, Grizzard forced a flyout to left field to end the game.
Game Notes
• Virginia Tech advances to the Tuscaloosa Regional Final and will face Alabama
• Tech is now 26-23 in all-time NCAA Regional matchups
• Tech improves to 3-0 in all-time matchups against Belmont
• With the run-rule win, Tech has 19 run-rule victories this season
• Tech scored 10+ runs for the 15th time this year
• It is also Tech’s fifth game this year with five or more home runs
• Jordan Lynch recorded her ninth and 10th home runs of the season against Belmont
• It marks the first multi-home run game of the year
• Emily LeGette hit her fourth home run of the season
• Trinity Martin’s three-run blast is her fifth home run of the season
• Cori McMillan hit home run No. 31 of the season
• She is the nation’s leader with 31 home runs
• She is one of just nine players to hit 31 or more home runs in a season
• Sophie Kleiman earned her 12th win in the circle
• She gave up just three hits and recorded two strikeouts
Up Next
Virginia Tech (43-12, 18-6 ACC) faces Alabama (39-21, 12-12 SEC) in the Tuscaloosa Regional Final on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Hokies need to defeat the Crimson Tide twice, with the if-necessary game beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be televised on ESPN+.