Hokie ClubGREENVILLE, N.C. - The Virginia Tech softball team picked up its second run rule victory of the day after an 11-3 win over Coppin State in six innings on Friday evening on the first day of the Pirate Invitational.
Junior Aysha Richardson went 3-for-4 with two RBI and sophomore Emma Strouth, freshman Hannah Jones and freshman Dani Hugney picked up two hits a piece. Freshman Taylor Barnes struck out six in a complete game effort.
After Barnes retired the side in order in the top of the first, senior Vanessa Gonzalez sent a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence for her second home run of the day and her third of the season. Richardson followed with a double and then scored on an RBI single up the middle from Strouth that made it 2-0 Hokies.
Barnes retired the side in order again in the second and freshman Jones led off the home half with her collegiate hit, a single to right field. After Jones moved to second on a groundout, Richardson sent her home on a triple to center field that gave the Hokies a 3-0 lead. Richardson later scored on a passed ball that made it 4-0.
Later in the inning, Strouth stroked an RBI triple to the right center field gap and then scored on a throwing error on the cut off throw, extending the Tech lead to 6-0.
In the third, Jones’ first career home run and an RBI single from Richardson made it 9-0 in favor of the Hokies.
The Eagles rallied back with a run in the fourth and two more runs in fifth that cut their deficit to six, 9-3, but a two-run home run from junior Caroline Schoenewald ended the game in the sixth inning.
The Hokies will be back in action tomorrow against Coppin State at 4:15 p.m. and East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. The game against the Pirates will be streamed. The link can be found on the Virginia Tech softball schedule page.