Following a tough series loss a week ago, No. 14 Virginia Tech softball traveled across the country and rebounded for an 11-3 run-rule victory over Cal on Friday.
“We came out with intent from the first pitch,” Virginia Tech head coach Pete D’Amour told Tech Sideline. “Our players were ready to play in all aspects.”
Though the Hokies (38-7, 16-3 ACC) carried a stronger record than the Golden Bears (31-17, 7-12), the inaugural contest was far from a gimme. Tech had to travel to the West Coast for its first ever conference series in the Pacific Time Zone, a tough task for any team. Couple that with how it dropped two of three games to Pitt last week, dropping out of first place in the conference standings.
Still, the Hokies rebounded and dominated from the first pitch. Or, more accurately, the third pitch, which right fielder Cori McMillan lined over the center-field fence to give her team a 1-0 lead. The blast was her 24th of the season — the highest total this season in the country.
Center fielder Bre Peck singled into center field, scoring third baseman Jordan Lynch later in the first, building an additional cushion.
M1 | An RBI single from Bre Peck caps off a two-run first inning for the Hokies!
Virginia Tech 2, Cal 0#Hokies? pic.twitter.com/1px31hO4Ji— Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) April 25, 2025
Tech notched another two runs in the second frame, two more in the fourth and five in the fifth to trigger the run-rule. The win marked the Hokies’ 18th run-rule victory this season.
In the second, first baseman Michelle Chatfield hit a two-run blast. The fourth brought McMillan and shortstop Annika Rohs home courtesy of a single from catcher Zoe Yaeger.
In the fifth, McMillan walked to bring around second baseman Rachel Castine. One batter later, Chatfield knocked her second home run of the day, a grand slam that scored McMillan, Rohs and left fielder Trinity Martin.
Chatfield’s two home runs on Friday were her 13th and 14th of the season.
Sophie Kleiman went the first 4 ⅔ innings in the circle for Virginia Tech, rather than Emma Lemley, who typically starts the first game of the series. Kleiman allowed five hits and three runs, walking three while striking out two in the process.
“Sophie has been throwing well this year,” D’Amour said. “We had a feeling that Cal may have been preparing for Emma today.”
If the Golden Bears did prepare for Lemley, they saw a different look. Though both arms are right handed, Kleiman tosses mostly drop balls, while Lemley’s pitches rise.
Lemley did face the last batter of the game — a popup to Rohs at shortstop — after Kleiman surrendered two runs in the fifth.
The Hokies tattooed both of Cal’s arms — Miranda De Nava and Ashanti McDade. De Nava threw the first three frames and allowed six hits — two of which left the yard — and five runs. McDade cleaned up the final two innings and gave up another six runs on six hits.
Virginia Tech will continue its rebound attempt in Berkeley on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.
Box Score: No. 14 Virginia Tech 11, Cal 3 (5 innings)