No. 12 Virginia Tech softball’s bats fell flat on Friday in Tuscaloosa, getting shutout for the first time all year in its 1-0 loss to No. 15 Alabama.
The Crimson Tide (25-5) utilized small ball for its only run of the game in the fifth inning. Hokies (24-5-1) pitcher Emma Lemley walked third baseman Bailey Dowling. Kinley Pate — Dowling’s pinch runner — stole second and then scored when designated player Kendal Clark singled.
Tech managed just five singles and no extra base hits. For a team that entered Friday averaging 8.59 runs per game — ranked fifth in the country — the lack of offensive production was uncharacteristic.
The top five hitters in the Hokies’ lineup — center fielder Emma Ritter, left fielder Addy Greene, second baseman Cameron Fagan, third baseman Bre Peck and right fielder Cori McMillan — each had one hit. Greene also walked, making her the only Tech player to reach base twice.
Lemley was dominant; her only blemishes were two hits and a walk, while she struck out seven batters. She didn’t allow a baserunner for the first four innings. In another game with offensive production, Lemley’s efforts would have resulted in a win. However, that was not the case on Friday evening.
Crimson Tide starter Kayla Beaver was more effective than Lemley, though less efficient. She threw 97 pitches — 23 more than Lemley — while she allowed five hits and one walk.
Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour tends to schedule tough non-conference opponents to prepare the team for postseason play and help its RPI status. Alabama entered Friday ranked No. 8 in the RPI, while Tech ranked No. 16. The Hokies are no stranger to high-ranked teams, having already played against Georgia (ranked No. 3), Cal (No. 17) and Charlotte (No. 34).
The Hokies and Crimson Tide will rematch on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network Plus.
Box Score: No. 15 Alabama 1, No. 12 Virginia Tech 0