Emma Lemley, who received the first-ever Athletes Unlimited Softball League golden ticket, is officially a member of the Blaze.
The Blaze selected the Virginia Tech pitcher with the third overall pick of the 2025 AUSL College Draft. Lemley signed her first professional contract following Virginia Tech’s exit from the NCAA Softball Tournament during the Tuscaloosa Regional. She joins an experienced pitching staff of Carley Hoover, Aleshia Ocasio, Keilani Ricketts, and Alana Vawter.
Lemley is coming off an 18-8 senior season, in which she threw four no-hitters with a 2.65 ERA. She received her fourth All-ACC selection with a Third Team nod and earned NFCA All-Region Mid-Atlantic First Team for the fourth consecutive season.
In 140 career appearances for the Hokies, Lemley has pitched 60 complete games and is the program’s career saves leader with 12. Her 849 strikeouts rank fourth in Virginia Tech history.
Lemley has impacted the Hokies since her freshman season when she earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors. Now, she’ll take the field aiming to do the same for the Blaze.
The Blaze open the season on June 7 vs. the Volts in Wichita, Kansas. Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now.
