Hokie ClubCLEARWATER, Fla.-The Virginia Tech softball team captured its sixth win of the season in a tight battle against Lehigh, 4-3 and then dropped a 7-3 contest to host South Florida Friday on the first day of the USF Under Armour Invitational. Tech seniors Jenna Rhodes and Charisse Mariconda combined for eight hits in the two games, while Rhodes tied a career high in stolen bases in a game against the Bulls with three and Mariconda registered a total of four runs batted in for both games.
In game one, the Hokies took to the field against Lehigh, who jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage. The Mountain Hawks got on the board after Audra Wood, reached on an error to lead-off the game, scored off a Lehigh single.
The Mountain Hawks added runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings, giving the visiting team a 3-0 lead. Tech struck back in the bottom half of the fifth and cut in to the Lehigh lead 3-1. Senior Beth Walker stepped to the plate to pinch-hit in the inning and was awarded first after being hit by a pitch. Walker latter tagged up and scored after senior Erin Ota flew out to right field.
In the final inning of play the Hokies stepped to the plate down 3-1. Tech began the inning with a single by freshman Marra Hvozdovic along with a bunt single off of Rhodes bat. After Ota sacrificed the runners to second and third, respectively, Mariconda stepped in the batters box. The senior drove a shot to the right side to drive in both Tech runners, to tie the game 3-3. Mariconda claimed second base of a throwing error by the right fielder on the play, putting her in scoring position. Tech senior Jessica Everhart drove in her classmate Mariconda for the game-winning run, 4-3.
In the circle, freshman Abbie Rexrode went six innings with three strikeouts and allowed two earned runs. Senior Kenzie Roark, who relieved Rexrode in the seventh claimed her fourth win and fanned one batter.
The second against host South Florida, Roark made the start and went the distance for Tech. The Hokies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Rhodes led off the game with a single then stole second and third to get into scoring position. Rhodes later scored off a hard shot by Mariconda to the left side. South Florida claimed the lead in the bottom portion of the inning. Bulls Junior JoJo Medina knocked a ball over the left field wall with two runners on, giving the home team a 3-1 advantage.
Tech tallied a run in the top of the third inning to cut into the lead 3-2. The Rhodes and Mariconda combo was at it again. Mariconda ripped a shot to left center to drive her running mate in from second. The Hokies loaded the bases latter in the inning after a long at bat by freshman Kristin Graham, but the squad couldn’t push a runner across the plate.
The Bulls added a run in the bottom of the third inning, reclaiming a two-run lead, 4-2. South Florida’s Medina drove in her fourth run of the day on a single to right center.
South Florida added insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to push the lead to five, 7-2. Tech posted its third run in the final inning, but it wasn’t enough, the Hokies dropped the second game of the day 7-3.
Tech will be back in action on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m., against Fordham. Depending on the outcome of the game the Hokies will then play later in the day. Check back to www.hokiesports.com for more information.