Softball Captures Hokies United Memorial Tournament Title

The Virginia Tech softball team won the Hokies United Memorial Tournament held this weekend in Botetourt, Va.  Tech overcame a rough first day where it went 1-1 to win both of its games on Sunday and capture the tournament title.

The Hokies started tournament play on Saturday facing Robert Morris.  Tech fell behind early but rallied to go into the seventh inning up 3-1.  Pitcher Elly Gosby then gave up a two run homer to tie the game up and was eventually won by Robert Morris 4-1 when the Hokies committed an error allowing the winning run to cross the plate.

After a tough first loss, the Hokies went on to face Villanova Saturday afternoon.  Tech jumped out to an early lead in the second when Misty Hall scored off of a Jess Hodge double.  The Hokies then went on to extend their lead in the fourth inning when Hodge scored from third off of a suicide squeeze by Hall.

Villanova was able to score one off of starting pitcher Angela Tincher, but the Hokies responded with a two RBI double by Charisse Mariconda.

A three run lead would be all Tincher would need to secure the win for the Hokies.  Tincher, who is from Eagle Rock-just minutes down the road from the Botetourt Complex-had an excellent performance in front of her hometown fans.  She allowed only one run and struck out 16 to get the 4-1 win for the Hokies.

Tech started off play Sunday by taking on Rider.  The Hokies hot bats as well as an excellent outing from pitcher Heather Lowry lifted the team to a 7-1 victory.

Mariconda had four hits, driving in two runs and scoring two herself.  Misty Hall and Beth Walker both had two hits and an RIB and Caroline Stolle had a hit and two RBI.

Lowry continued her winning streak in the circle as she struck out six and allowed just five hits and one run.

With a win over Rider the Hokies were in the championship game where they faced Winthrop. 

Tech jumped off to a 1-0 lead when Hall drove Ota in off of an infield single.  The Hokies then went on to score two more runs in the sixth when Kelsey Hoffman knocked one run in and the third run was scored off of a Winthrop Error. 

Tincher had yet another dominating performance allowing only two hits and striking out 18 to get the Hokes the 3-0 win and the tournament championship.

Tech, who is now 9-4 on the season, will travel to Radford on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.