After losing to Alabama on Saturday to drop into the loser's bracket of the Tuscaloosa Regional, the Virginia Tech softball team routed Belmont, 11-1, on Saturday night, setting up a matchup with the 15th-seeded Crimson Tide on Sunday. If the Hokies were going to advance out of the regional, they would need to win a pair of games over Alabama.
With ace Emma Lemley in the circle, Virginia Tech tried to force and deciding game on Sunday night, but after a three-plus hour rain delay, Alabama scored three runs with two outs in the top of the fifth, which was the difference to eliminate the Hokies. The Crimson Tide head to Oklahoma next weekend to play the second-seeded Sooners in a Super Regional with a berth in the Women's College World Series on the line. Virginia Tech ends the season at 43-13, while Alabama improved to 40-21.
Virginia Tech was snubbed one week ago from being a National Seed and hosting a regional in Blacksburg and were sent to Alabama, who they split with back in February. However, after losing 4-3 on Saturday, the Hokies were shut down by Crimson Tide pitcher Catelyn Riley for six-plus innings before allowing a two-run homer to Rachel Castine in the bottom of the seventh, but it wouldn't be enough.
Alabama scored all the runs it would need in the top of the fifth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Audrey Vandagiff drew a walk for a 1-0 lead, then Lauren Johnson lofted a fly-ball to left field where Trinity Martin slipped on the wet outfield grass and the ball landed for a two-run single.
The loss ends the careers of Cori McMillan, Lemley, Bre Peck, and Castine in Blacksburg, and those are some big holes for head coach Pete D'Amour to fill for next season. There is, however, plenty of talent coming back, assuming there are not a lot of transfer portal losses, for the Hokies to be a good team again in 2026.