February 8, 2014
Hokies open season with two wins in Nashville
Ake picks up four hits, five RBIs on the day
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Miami University (1-1) 0100000132
Virginia Tech (1-0) 100230X681
  • Nashville, TN - 104
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Virginia Tech (2-0) 2000012590
Tennessee State (1-1) 0000000031
  • Nashville, TN - 207

NASHVILLE – The Virginia Tech softball team opened the 2014 season with a pair of wins Saturday at the Music City Classic, being hosted by Lipscomb University at the Draper Diamond. The Hokies began the day with a 6-1 win over Miami University before downing Tennessee State 5-0 in the second game of the day.

In the opener, Amanda Ake broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with a two run home run to plate herself and Vanessa Gonzalez. In the fifth inning, the Hokies broke it open with three more runs. Kylie McGoldrick scored when Logan Spaw drew a bases-loaded walk and then Katey Smith laced a two-run double down the line to score Dani Anderson and Gonzalez.

Sophomore Kelly Heinz (W, 1-0) was strong, allowing just one unearned run in seven innings. She gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out four.

At the plate, McGoldrick and Smith each had two hits while Kat Banks, Anderson, Gonzalez and Ake each had one.

Miami (1-1) is coached by former Hokie player and Tech Sports Hall of Famer Clarisa Crowell.

In the second game, Ake got the Hokies off to a strong start with a two-RBI double to the gap against Tennessee State (1-1).

After a lull in the offense, the Hokies added a big insurance run in the sixth inning. Aysha Richardson singled and stole second base before coming home on a sharp single to left field by Jessica McNamara. In the seventh inning, Gonzalez drove in Lauren Gaskill with an infield single and eventually scored on Ake’s single up the middle.

In the circle, Maggie Tyler tossed a gem, striking out eight while allowing just three hits and two walks in registering the shutout.

Ake led the way at the plate with three hits and three RBIs while Gaskill, Richardson, McNamara, McGoldrick, Gonzalez and Alex Barnes each had one.

Ake had four hits on the day and five RBIs to lead the way for the Hokies.

Tech (2-0) will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, playing a single game against the host Lady Bisons at noon local time (1 p.m. Eastern).

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