Hokies return home to face Syracuse

Tech will face the Orange on Friday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader, single game Saturday at noon

March 8, 2018

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech softball team returns to action at Tech Softball Park this weekend as the Hokies open their ACC schedule against Syracuse with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday and a 12 p.m. single game on Saturday.

Live stats will be available for all three games as well an audio stream with Evan Hughes on the call. Both links can be found on HokieSports.com.

The Hokies (10-10) are coming off of a 3-4 spring break road trip through Florida where they continued to see strong outings from their pitching staff. Over seven games, the Tech hurlers compiled a 1.33 ERA, a .168 opponent’s batting average and surrendered only nine earned runs in 47.1 innings pitched. The Hokies’ team ERA of 1.77 ranks third in the ACC behind Duke (1.67) and Florida State (1.49).

TECH’S SUCCESS WITH TWO OUTS

• Despite a tepid offensive start to the season for the Hokies, they found success this past weekend at the plate with two outs.
• Of the 20 runs scored over seven games, Virginia Tech drove in 13 of those runs with two down.
• Freshman Casey Barrett led the way with three two out RBI while juniors Olivia Lattin, Emma Strouth and Caitlyn Nolan each had two.
• Tech posted five two RBI in its come-from-behind 6-4 victory over Iowa State on March 4 including a base clearing two RBI double from Barrett that plated the go-ahead runs.

ROCHARD’S BIG WEEKEND

• After some early season struggles, freshman Keely Rochard had a breakout weekend in Florida where she went 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 18 strikeouts, compared to three walks.
• Rochard allowed only two hits, no runs and fanned six batters in 5.2 innings of work against Presbyterian and threw 5.0 innings of perfect relief against Iowa State where struck out five and earned the win.
• Despite taking the loss against Ball State, Rochard set a new career high with seven strikeouts against the Cardinals.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @HokiesSoftball