Hokie ClubCOLUMBIA, S.C. -- The No. 7 Virginia Tech Hokies recorded their second win of the day, defeating host South Carolina 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. Senior Keely Rochard put up another solid performance in the cirlce, fanning 10 South Carolina batters.
In addition to her 10 strikeouts, Rochard (6-1) went seven innings, giving up three runs, on two hits and walking one for Virginia Tech (11-2).
Sophomore Emma Ritter led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and three RBIs. Freshman Bre Peck hit her second home run of the season in the second inning, the next at bat after Ritter's two-run shot. Sophomore Cameron Fagan also helped out, going 2-for-4 for Virginia Tech.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Virginia Tech's offense produced a three-run output that included back-to-back homers from Ritter and Peck.
The Gamecocks failed to push any runs across before the Hokies built on their lead in the seventh inning. Virginia Tech brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Ritter's single, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Hokies. South Carolina put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still held on for the 5-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Rochard struck out 10 Gamecocks hitters.
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hokies had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Gamecocks 3-0 in the top of the second.
» The Hokies out-hit the Gamecocks at a 7-2 clip.
» The Hokies drew five walks from South Carolina pitching.
» Ritter led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.