BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech softball hits the road to begin the 2020 season at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, South Carolina, playing in a five-game tournament featuring four teams.
Coastal Carolina will play host to Campbell, East Carolina, Iowa and Tech. Ticket information can be viewed here, with all-day passes being $10 at St. John Stadium.
Of Tech's five games, its contest with Coastal Carolina will be broadcast, with Harris Varnum on the call, but the other four games will not be. It costs $6.95 for a 24-hour pass to view the game. However, live stats will be available all weekend by clicking here.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Fri. | 12:45 p.m. ET vs. Iowa | Stats
Fri. | 5:15 p.m. ET at Coastal Carolina | Stats | Watch
Sat. | 4:15 p.m. ET vs. Campbell | Stats
Sat. | 6:30 p.m. ET vs. East Carolina | Stats
Sun. | 9:30 a.m. ET vs. Iowa | Stats
The Hokies return six starters from a year ago and enter the second year in the Pete D'Amour era. Winning the ACC regular-season title and making an NCAA Regional in 2019, Tech will be led by four All-ACC preseason picks this season, including pitcher Keely Rochard, infielders Jayme Bailey and Kelsey Bennett and outfielder Darby Trull.
The last time Tech played in the Kickin' Chicken Classic was in 2015, winning all five games in Conway. And the last time it played in Conway was a single game at Coastal, losing 6-4 in 2017. D'Amour is 1-0 all-time at Tech in season openers and the Hokies are 16-8 in season openers.
SCOUTING IOWA
2019 Record: 19-32 (5-18 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Renee Gillispie (19-32, 2nd season)
All-time series: Iowa, 6-2
The Big Ten Conference does not do a preseason poll. Last season, the Hawkeyes finished 12th in the league.
SCOUTING COASTAL CAROLINA
2019 Record: 39-21 (13-14 Sun Belt)
Head Coach: Kelley Green (341-239, 10th season)
All-time series: Virginia Tech, 9-7
Coastal Carolina was picked fifth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason coaches' poll. Junior outfielder Courtney Dean made the preseason All-Sun Belt team.
SCOUTING CAMPBELL
2019 Record: 26-28 (14-9 Big South)
Head Coach: Sharonda McDonald (26-28, 2nd season)
All-time series: Virginia Tech, 8-2
Campbell was picked third in the Big South preseason coaches' poll.
SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA
2019 Record: 23-31 (4-17 American)
Head Coach: Courtney Oliver (95-124, 5th season)
All-time series: Virginia Tech, 9-6
East Carolina was picked sixth in the American Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll.