Hokie ClubLEESBURG, Fla. -- Senior Keely Rochard dominated on Friday, fanning 15 Northwestern hitters over seven innings of work to help propel the No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies over the Wildcats 3-2.
In addition to her 15 strikeouts, Rochard (1-0) threw seven innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits and walking two for Virginia Tech (2-0).
In the batter's box, the Hokies were led by junior Jayme Bailey, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a triple and an RBI. Graduate student Ally Repko put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Addy Greene also contributed for Virginia Tech, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 1-0, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the first inning. Sophomore Cameron Fagan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech and get them on the board.
The score stayed at 1-1 until the third inning, when the Hokies put runs on the scoreboard once again. Virginia Tech plated two runs off of Northwestern pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of Repko, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Hokies. Northwestern put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still held on for the 3-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard struck out 15 Wildcats hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Wildcats at a 6-3 clip.
» Rochard limited Northwestern to just 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
» Rochard pitchers faced 27 Northwestern hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and one fly ball while striking out 15.
» Bailey led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI.
» Northwestern was led offensively by senior Rachel Lewis, who went 1-for-1 with a double.
The Hokies continue their weekend tomorrow with two more games, taking on Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. and No. 11 Missouri at 6 p.m.