Hokie ClubCONWAY, S.C. – A three-hit shutout by Kenzie Roark and a pair of home runs from Charisse Mariconda helped lead the way as the Hokie softball team cruised past Coastal Carolina 6-0 Sunday afternoon on the final day of the Kickin’ Chicken Classic.
Mariconda opened the scoring with a two-run blast in the third inning to score Amber Walker. The ball hit directly on top of the fence and bounced out to make it 2-0. In the fifth inning, Tech tacked on three more runs to break it open. With Jenna Rhodes and Whitney Davis on, Mariconda didn’t leave things to chance, crushing a pitch deep over the right-center field fence to make it 5-0. One batter later, Jessica Everhart wasn’t as fortunate as she belted a ball deep to center that also bounced off the top of the fence. She wasn’t as lucky as hers bounced back into the field of play for a double. Everhart finished the day with a pair of doubles to help pace the offense. Mariconda had three hits, four RBI and scored two runs to highlight her big day.
In the sixth inning, pinch hitter Beth Walker drove a pitch down the right field line for an RBI double, plating Kristen Froehlich.
Roark (W, 3-7) was on from the beginning, retiring the first nine batters. She finished with her second shutout of the season as she struck out six and walked two.
Also picking up hits for the Hokies were Kristin Graham, Froehlich and Davis.
Tech (5-9) will be back in action next weekend at the always-tough NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. The Hokies will play No. 4 Michigan and No. 1 Alabama on the first day of competition and will later play DePaul, Southern Illinois and Illinois State.