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Virginia Tech Softball: Hokies headed to Arizona

By Kayleigh Toney

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 29: An NCAA softball during a game between Notre Dame and Duke at Duke Softball Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 29: An NCAA softball during a game between Notre Dame and Duke at Duke Softball Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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The No. 20 Virginia Tech softball team is headed to Tempe, Arizona for the NCAA Regionals, their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The Hokies are the 2 seed in the region and are in a region with hosts Arizona State, Brigham Young, and Southern Illinois. The region will be a double-elimination bracket. They will take on BYU in their first game on Thursday, May 20 at 7:30 ET on ESPN3.

Virginia Tech softball has found success this season going 33-13 overall and 23-11 in ACC play. The biggest win on the season was the sweep against Duke who at the time was ranked No. 12/14 in the country.

As a team Tech has 52 home runs in 45 games, they also have 251 runs averaging 5.5.8 a game. The team is also tied for ninth in the country with 16 shutouts. Their 4.96 K/BB is good for the fifth-best in the nation.

In their most recent game, Tech’s ACC tournament ended in the semifinals with a 0-2 loss to No. 13/10 Clemson on Friday.

The Hokies are led by ACC Pitcher of the Year, Keely Rochard who is one of the best pitchers in all of college softball. She is tied for first in the nation with 13 shutouts and third in strikeouts with 288.

They have one of the best offenses in the conference with four players that have a batting average of over .300. Sophomore, Kelsey Brown leads the team with a .400 batting average while Jayme Bailee has a .315, Addy Greene has a .309, and Alexa Milius a .304. Kelsey Bennett has a team leading 11 home runs on the season.

A look at BYU

BYU has an overall record of 36-15 and an 11-1 conference record in the WCC. They are currently on an eight-game winning streak, coming away with a 4-0 win against Utah State in their most recent game.

The Cougars are led by impressive freshman, Violet Zavodnik who has an impressive batting average of .417 starting all 51 games. Close behind her is Rylee Jensen who has 18 home runs and .400 batting average.

If Virginia Tech wins against BYU on Thursday they will likely play hosts Arizona State in Game 3 on Friday.