Skip to main content

No. 20 VT rallies past No. 23 Virginia in opener of Commonwealth Clash

by:Cooper Taylor•03/07/25
Screenshot 2025-03-07 at 7.14.18 PM
Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics

No. 20 Virginia Tech’s ace Emma Lemley got the start in game one against rival No. 23 Virginia. The Cavaliers welcomed Lemley with force. Jade Hylton led off with a hit-by-pitch, and Kelly Ayer doubled to left, advancing Hylton to third with no outs. Macee Eaton then singled home Hylton to give Virginia an early 1-0 lead. After Eaton stole second, Ayer capitalized on heads-up baserunning to steal home, putting the Hoos up 2-0.

Virginia’s Eden Bingham was sharp in the first, striking out All-American Cori McMillan and retiring the side on a pair of groundouts. The Cavaliers then extended their lead in the second. After Sydney Hartgrove singled and an error put two on with one out, Hylton drove in another run with a single off the third baseman’s glove. The Hoos nearly scored another, but Lyla Blackwell’s strong outfield assist cut down a runner at the plate

Bingham got into trouble in the third. The Hokies’ bats came alive in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs on four singles. Michelle Chatfield’s RBI single, Bre Peck’s RBI single, and a groundout from Jordan Lynch tied the game. Kylie Aldridge then added the go-ahead run with an RBI single, giving Virginia Tech a 4-3 lead.

The Cavaliers responded in the fourth, as Reece Holbrook doubled and Kailyn Jones singled to put runners at the corners. Bella Cabral drove in Holbrook with a single to left, but the Hoos’ potential go-ahead run was cut down at the plate on a relay throw.

With Bingham’s day finished, Virginia turned to freshman Ava Hodges in the circle. However, the Hokies extended their lead in the fifth. A pair of walks, a single from McMillan, and a sacrifice fly from Bre Peck gave Virginia Tech a 5-4 lead. Jordan Lynch then doubled off of new pitcher Savannah Henley, driving in two more runs and extending the Hokies’ lead.

Sophie Kleiman relieved Lemley in the fifth, shutting down the Cavaliers with three scoreless innings and six strikeouts. Annika Rohs added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 8-4, and Kleiman kept the Hoos at bay the rest of the way. Virginia Tech secured the 8-4 victory in Game 1 of the series.

Virginia Tech’s defense also made tremendous plays on defense, cutting three runs at the plate that helped change the game.

You may also like