Nobody knew Athletes Unlimited would announce it would draft Virginia Tech pitcher Emma Lemley after the Hokies’ 15-1 run-rule win over Notre Dame on Sunday night.
Well, that’s not entirely true. Members of Tech’s support staff did. Head coach Pete D’Amour did. And pitcher Cassie Grizzard did — and was tasked with ensuring Lemley was visible to cameras.
But Lemley, most of the players and the fans at Tech Softball Park had no idea. It made for a special postgame moment, one where the senior’s teammates mobbed her as former Arizona All-American and ESPN commentator Jenny Dalton-Hill called her name.
“That was a total surprise. Whoever knew about it kept a very good secret because I had no clue what was going on,” Lemley said. “Cori [McMillan] was like, ‘Jenny Dalton-Hill is here,’ and I was like, ‘Well, I’m sure she’s just calling our game or something.’ But that was so cool.”
Athletes Unlimited softball just announced #Hokies pitcher Emma Lemley would be drafted to one of its four teams in May. pic.twitter.com/OVA04csorl
— Sam Mostow (@bySamMostow) April 13, 2025
For the Forest, Va., native, the moment was the culmination of a childhood dream come true.
“I saw that a few cameras were pointed at me and some of my teammates were right behind me like, ‘Lem, Lem, get up there,’” she said. “Then, when [Dalton-Hill] said ‘pitcher,’ I knew she was gonna say my name, and that was a little emotional.”
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a startup professional league which will play its first game on June 7. Consisting of four teams and a 24-game schedule, the league will tour across 10 cities in 2025 before each team will gain a home city in 2026.
Lemley earned one of the league’s 12 “golden tickets,” certifying her place as one of the players who will be selected in the AUSL’s inaugural draft on May 3.
“It’s confirmation that we develop pitchers here, we develop good players here and good people,” D’Amour said. “So, I’m proud of her and she deserves it.”
After completing her media obligations and before a swarm of autograph-seekers found her, Lemley embraced D’Amour.
“Let’s go to the World Series — and win it,” D’Amour said
In other news, it was probably wise not to drive on Beamer Way between 6:02 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. on Sunday evening. During that time, No. 12 Virginia Tech tattooed four home runs en route to a sweep of Notre Dame.
The Hokies (33-5) have won 17 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the country.
Two of the homers came courtesy of left fielder Trinity Martin. The former blast came towards the end of an eight-run first inning, in which she launched a three-run shot to right field. The second came in the third, a solo blast to put Tech up by 14.
“[The mindset was] just knowing that I’ve prepared for these moments, staying under control and swinging at the best pitches that I get,” Martin said. “I don’t really think too much about what pitch or how hard I’m gonna swing. I just worry about dialing in on the ball, and it’ll go how it goes.”
The other blasts came from McMillan and catcher Zoe Yaeger. McMillan’s began the game and went deep into the parking lot past right field. Yaeger’s was a three-run shot in the third inning, also scoring designated player Kylie Aldridge and center fielder Bre Peck.
First baseman Michelle Chatfield, Peck and Aldridge also notched RBI. Chatfield knocked a single up the middle in the first to score McMillan. Then in the second, Peck singled around Chatfield and shortstop Annika Rohs. Aldridge proceeded to score pinch runner Sara McNelly in the third with a single.
The Hokies hit a crucial 9-for-17 with runners on base, including an 8-of-11 clip with them in scoring position. Plus, eight of their runs came with two outs.
Pitcher Sophie Kleiman dealt, allowing just three hits and one run across four innings. She picked up three strikeouts and remained in control; of her 66 pitches, 42 hit the strike zone. Having 15 runs of support helped, too.
“Any time we can put up that many runs, it makes my job so much easier,” Kleiman said. “… It’s a game-changer. I know no matter how I do out there, they have my back. Good or bad, they’re going to score runs.”
The transfer from Indiana — Tech’s only portal addition in 2025 — earned her 10th win of the season on Sunday.
“It’s completely different here, but in the best way,” Kleiman said. “I absolutely love it, and all the coaches and my teammates have made the transition so easy.”
The Hokies will travel to Pittsburgh this weekend and hope to elongate their 17-game run of wins. The first game against Pitt will take place on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET. It’s a modified three-game schedule with Easter on Sunday.
Box Score: No. 12 Virginia Tech 15, Notre Dame 1 (5 innings)