Virginia Tech softball picks up a big Top 25 road win at Alabama

Virginia Tech Hokies

2

Final

Alabama Crimson Tide

1

Last weekend, the Virginia Tech softball team went to LSU to face the No. 7 Tigers as part of five games. The Hokies were looking to secure a Top 25 win and early-season statement but dropped both games, 7-2, and, 7-4. The losses left Virginia Tech at 8-2.

This weekend, the No. 17 Hokies headed back to SEC country, this time to Alabama to take part in the 2025 Bama Bash. Virginia Tech opened the weekend with a rout of Drake on Friday afternoon, but at night, they got another shot at a Top 25 team and didn't miss their opportunity.

Behind some timely hitting, the pitching of Emma Lemley, and superb defense from the outfield, the Hokies picked up a huge one-run win over the No. 21 Crimson Tide to improve to 10-2. After three scoreless innings, the Hokies opened the scoring with Kylie Aldridge driving in a run on a fielder's choice.

In the sixth Zoe Yaeger walked and went to third on a Cori McMillan double. When Alabama misplayed the relay into the infield, Yaeger scored for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Crimson Tide scored their lone run, but Lemley avoided any more damage when McMillan cut down a runner at third base with a perfect throw from right field. In the bottom of the seventh and two outs and the winning run on base Alabama, left fielder Lyla Blackwell made a diving catch to end the game and secure the Hokies' 10th win in 12 games.

Lemley carried a no-hitter into the fifth, but she finished allowing five hits, one run and struck out six.

In the opener against Drake, the Hokies won 8-0, to begin the weekend. They opened things up in the fourth by pushing six runs across on an RBI triple from Blackwell, and run-scoring doubles from Jayden Jones, and McMillan. Bre Peck drove in two runs with a single and the sixth run was scored on a Bulldogs error. They added two more runs for the win.

Virginia Tech returns to the diamond at Alabama on Saturday with a doubleheader against Southern Utah before closing out the weekend with another game against the host Crimson Tide.