April 22, 2008

Hokies roll past Lady Bucs, 6-0

BRISTOL, Tenn. - The 18th-ranked Virginia Tech softball team rolled past East Tennessee State, 6-0, Tuesday night as part of the State Line Classic at Whitetop Creek Park.

The Hokies threatened in the first two innings, but finally broke through in the third stanza thanks to an ETSU error to extend the inning. With Jenna Rhodes on second base and Erin Ota on first, Charisse Mariconda hit a grounder to second baseman Briana Knight, who fielded the ball and flipped it to the base. But shortstop Cheniece Cason dropped the ball and two batters later, Misty Hall ripped a single to left field to plate Rhodes and Ota.

Tech busted things open in the fourth inning, putting two runners on for senior Caroline Stolle. After struggling for much of the year, the Chester, Va., showed the power she exuded last year, crushing a three-run moon shot to center field to make it 5-0. It was her first home run of the season. Mariconda then ripped a single past third base to plate Rhodes for the fourth run of the inning.