Well. 8/9 Hokies set for TaxAct Clearwater Invitational presented by EvoShield

CLEARWATER, Fla. Well. 8/9 The Virginia Tech softball team will head south to compete in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational presented by EvoShield from 17-19. February. The Hokies faced three College World Series teams in the previous season, and all five teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2022.

SCHEDULE

Friday, February 17

#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #5/5 Oklahoma State | at 10 | ESPNU
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. RV/RV Nebraska | at 16 | ACC network

Saturday, February 18

#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #2/2 UCLA | at 16 | ESPNU
#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. #10/15 Arizona | at 19 | ESPN+

Sunday, February 19

#8/9 Virginia Tech vs. South Florida | Noon | ESPN+

STRONG START

The Hokies started the season strong with a run-rule win against East Carolina and recorded 11 hits in the season opener. Bre Peck led the charge, going 1-2 with a home run, a walk and three RBIs. Freshman Teagan Thrunk had a memorable debut going 3-3. Emma Lemley threw a four-hit shutout in the circle, striking out seven Pirates. The Hokies finished their opening weekend with a 5-0 record for the second straight season. Tech outscored opponents 32-3 and the pitching staff posted a 0.23 ERA in five games played.

BAILEY’S STRIKE

Jayme Bailey went 10-14 last weekend to begin his fifth year as a Hokie. Throughout the weekend, he recorded one double, one triple and one home run while contributing five RBIs and three runs scored. Bailey led the team with a .741 batting average on the weekend and also stole two bases.

STAFF DEBUT

The Hokies pitching staff of Grein, Jacobson, Lemley and Peck worked together to average a 0.23 ERA on the weekend. The four pitchers allowed just four walks and three runs all weekend. Newcomer Lyndsey Green pitched the most innings on staff with 14, striking out 11, including nine against UNC Wilmington, a regional team a season ago. Molly Jacobson and the utility player Bre Peck also made their pitching debut this season where they combined to throw a shutout against Purdue Fort Wayne. This is Peck’s first season on the pitching staff, and he primarily played third base last season. Peck was the 2019 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and has a perfect game in the state quarterfinals on his resume.

NEXT

The Hokies continue their journey next weekend, traveling to Austin, Texas to compete in the Lone StarState Invitational. Tech will host No. 9/13 Texas twice, along with Abilene Christian and Texas Southern.