Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In an elimination game on its home field Sunday, No. 3 Virginia Tech softball rose to the occasion to roll past Kentucky 9-2 behind the power of Cameron Fagan and arm of Emma Lemley, setting up one final rematch in the regional final, with the winner heading to super regionals.
Lemley (16-5) got the win for Virginia Tech (44-8), pitching a complete game while only giving up two runs and striking out four.
Fagan went 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk in addition to her four RBIs for the Hokies. Sophomore Emma Ritter put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Senior Darby Trull also helped out for Virginia Tech, putting together two hits while adding a double and two walks.
Tech will face Kentucky (37-18) again in a winner-take-all game following a weather delay on ESPN+. Fans can tune in here.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Fagan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Virginia Tech and get them on the board.
The Wildcats then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Hokies got back on the board in the third. Virginia Tech scored a run when freshman Bre Peck drew a walk from sophomore Stephanie Schoonover that scored Ritter, which brought the score level at 2-2.
That 2-2 tie turned into a 4-2 Virginia Tech lead in the fourth. The Hokies scored twice, with one run coming across on junior Jayme Bailey's single.
Virginia Tech kept the Wildcats without a run before their offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Senior Mackenzie Lawter and junior Kelsey Bennett each scored a run for the Hokies in the inning, bringing the Virginia Tech advantage to 6-2.
The Hokies held Kentucky without a run before building on their lead to 9-2 in the seventh inning. Virginia Tech scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Fagan, scoring Bennett and Trull.
GAME NOTES
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hokies out-hit the Wildcats at an 11-8 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew seven walks from Kentucky pitching.
» Kentucky was led offensively by sophomore Vanessa Nesby, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI.
Gallery: (5-22-2022) SB: NCAA Blacksburg Regional Game 4 vs. Kentucky