Hokie ClubLEESBURG, Fla. --Senior Keely Rochard was dominant on Sunday, fanning eight Kentucky hitters over six innings of work to help power the No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies over the No. 19 Wildcats 6-1. Due to a drop-dead time of 3:30, the game was ended after the sixth inning.
In addition to her eight strikeouts, Rochard (2-0) threw six innings, giving up one run on four hits and walking one for Virginia Tech (5-0).
At the plate, the Hokies were paced by junior Meredith Slaw, who went 1-for-1 on the day with a pinch hit grand slam to push the Hokies to a six-run lead. Graduate student Ally Repko put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-2 with a double. Junior Kelsey Bennett also contributed for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the fourth inning. Virginia Tech got an RBI single from Bennett, scoring sophomore Maddy Federico from second base.
The Wildcats failed to push any runs across before the Hokies built on their lead in the sixth inning. The Virginia Tech offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by the grand slam off the bat of Slaw, which brought the Hokies lead to 6-0. Kentucky put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still took the 6-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard struck out eight Wildcats hitters.
» Slaw drove in four runs for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed five runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Wildcats at a 6-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Rochard faced 23 Kentucky hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Hokies drew four walks from Kentucky pitching.
» Slaw led the Hokies at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a home run and four RBIs.
» Kentucky was led offensively by Lauren Johnson, who went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.