I can't even begin to express how happy I am to be posting this recap on THE SOFTBALL MESSAGE BOARD!!!!!

Hokies ride Rochard’s arm to a 1-0 win over Ohio State

Virginia Tech’s bats were missing in action on Friday in South Carolina, but Keely Rochard made sure it didn’t matter as she led the Hokies to a 1-0, 9 inning victory over Ohio State.

Rochard was simply dominating. She had a perfect game until there were two outs in the 7th inning and finished with a 3 hitter in 9 innings, walking none and striking out 17. Other than the three base hits (one of which was an infield hit), only two balls reached the outfield, both fly balls to Darby Trull in center.

“Keely is in mid-season form,” said Hokie Coach Pete D’Amour. “She’s been keeping other teams at bay until our offense starts clicking.”

The Hokies squandered several scoring opportunities during the first seven innings, stranding two runners on second base and another on third. But they finally broke through in the top of the ninth.

Cameron Fagan led off the inning with a single just inside the left field line and Jayme Bailey followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt to move her to second. After a ground out, Mackenzie Lawter blasted a ball over the right fielder’s head for an RBI double.

However, it wouldn’t be Hokie Sports without last minute drama.

Tegan Cortelletti, Ohio State’s leadoff batter singled to left field in the bottom of the inning and Taylor Pack followed with a similar shot that was headed to right field. However, Cameron Fagan stretched out and knocked the ball down keeping Cortelletti from reaching third with none out.

After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Rochard got her biggest strikeout of the game, fanning Jaycee Ruberti, who had only struck out once all season. Then, shortstop Kelsey Bennett ended the game by throwing out Meggie Otte at first on a ground out, despite have a baserunner stop almost in front of her in an effort to distract her.

In spite of only having 4 hits in the game, the Hokies did have a number of balls that were well-hit to the outfield (8 in the last 4 innings), including two on which that Buckeye centerfielder Meggie Otte made highlight plays.

“Our offense is way too talented to stay dormant for much longer,” said D’Amour. “Hopefully we can start controlling the strike zone a little better the next couple of days.”

The Hokies get back at it Saturday morning at 10:30 with a game against the Miami RedHawks (3-4), who are coached by former Hokie Assistant Kirin Kumar. Miami split a pair of games on Friday, losing to Troy 5-1 before shutting out South Carolina 5-0.

That contest will be followed by a game at approximately 1:00 against South Carolina.