Los Angeles, California – No. 17 Virginia Tech defeated San Diego State 5-1 at Easton Stadium in the opening game of the Los Angeles Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Hokies were led by strong pitching from junior Emma Lemley, allowing just one hit through the first five innings. Lemley pitched a complete game with just three hits and six strikeouts.
The win marked the 50th win in the circle for the Jefferson Forest High School graduate.
“Emma pitched really well today, pitched seven innings. She didn’t look like she was struggling at all,” Hokies head coach Pete D’Amour said. “That’s good because it means she can come back tomorrow. We’ve got three or four other fresh pitchers because they didn’t pitch. Well, pitch a complete game and finish I don’t know who’s going to pitch tomorrow, but I’m sure whoever’s going to pitch will be ready.”
“Once we get into the postseason, everyone’s going to be fine. You can’t take any hitter lightly at this point,” Lemley said. “Right now, it’s really important to stick to that one-pitch-at-a-time mentality. To put together seven innings, you have to fight pitch by pitch, out by out. That’s really important.”
The Hokies’ batting lineup turned up the heat with three consecutive hits in the bottom of the third inning, scoring the first points of the game. Following a bunt by Addie Green, Cameron Fagan got an RBI, moving freshman Annika Roos to third base and setting up the team’s first score.
After the Bruins’ 9-0 walk-off win over Grand Canyon, Virginia Tech will face No. 6 UCLA.
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