Well, I don’t know if the Pittsburgh series could have started much better for the Hokies.

In the first inning, Keely Rochard took the mound and struck out the side and in the home half of the inning, the Hokies scored 6 runs. That is usually more than enough when Keely is pitching, so that was basically the ball game.

Rochard was simply dominant, pitching 4 innings and only one hit (a bunt single), striking out 8, and walking none. Mackenzie Osborne pitched a perfect fifth inning and recorded two strikeouts of her own.

The heart of the Pittsburgh lineup (the 3-4-5 hitters) went 0-6 Friday night with 6 strikeouts

The Hokie bats remained sizzling in this game, going 10 for 20. Although there were no homeruns, the Hokies showed their versatility by stealing 6 bases, including two each by Kelsey Brown and Cameron Fagan.

The Hokies once again forced an opposing pitcher to throw strikes, with not a single Hokie striking out for the second consecutive game. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s season-long control problems continued to be an issue as Panther hurler Brittany Knight walked 5 Hokies and hit one. You simply can’t do that against VT and survive - four of those free passes ended up scoring.

Cana Davis and Alexis Milius each drove in two runs and Kelsey Brown and Cameron Fagan each scored two runs. That 1-2 punch at the top of the order with Brown and Fagan will continue to give teams fits all year.

This was the fifth consecutive run-rule games that the Hokies have had, starting with last Saturday’s second game against NC State. Since then, the Hokies have outscored their opponents by scores of 12-2, 17-4, 11-1. 9-1, and 9-0. That’s 58-8 for those scoring at home. Wow.

Pittsburgh’s Katlyn Pavlick had reached base safely in 14 straight games and had a team-high eight game hitting streak heading into Friday night’s game, but both streaks were snapped by the Hokies.

The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm.

Let’s hope the Hokies can keep things rolling all weekend long. One game at a time..