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ON THE DIAMOND
The Virginia Tech softball team travels to Conway, South Carolina, to open the 2015 season at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic, hosted by Coastal Carolina University. The Hokies open the season on Friday at noon against former ACC rival Maryland and then take on Lafayette at 2:15 p.m. On Saturday, the Hokies play Maryland at 12:30 p.m., and then take on the host Chanticleers at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, Tech plays Lafayette at 10 a.m.

FACILITY AND TICKET INFO
All of the games this weekend will take place at the Coastal Carolina Softball Stadium - Charles Wade-John Lott Field. The address is 965 One Landon Loop, Conway, SC 29526

Admission is free to all games at Coastal Carolina this weekend.

Here’s the tournament site.

IN THE PALMETTO STATE
Virginia Tech has played 63 games in South Carolina since its inception as a varsity sport in 1996 and the Hokies sport a 40-23 all-time record in the Palmetto State. The last time Tech played in South Carolina was last year at a tournament in Spartanburg.

THE WEEKEND FORECAST
Here’s the weekend forecast for Conway, South Carolina. Be sure to follow Virginia Tech softball on Twitter (@VT_Softball) for any potential schedule changes this weekend due to the weather.

YEAR NO. 20
Scot Thomas is in his 20th season at the helm of the maroon and orange. He enters this weekend with a record of 689-453. In his career, he has led the Hokies to a berth in the Women’s College World Series (2008), two ACC titles (2007, 2008), seven NCAA bids (2005-2008, 2012-2014), eight conference championship games and a win over the U.S. National Team (2008) and the Dutch National Team (2012).

WHO’S BACK?
The Hokies return 13 players from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad, including seven starters (fielding and DP) and three pitchers. Offensively, Tech’s top five regular hitters in terms of batting average from a year ago return: Kylie McGoldrick (.345, 8 HRs), Vanessa Gonzalez (.341, 8 HRs), Lauren Gaskill (.324, 6 HRs, 17 SBs), Logan Spaw (.319, 18 RBIs) and Katey Smith (.317, 9 HRs).

In the circle, Tech returns all three pitchers who saw action last year. Maggie Tyler led the team in appearances, games started and ERA last year, going 15-9 with a 3.28 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 192.0 innings. Joining her again will be Kelly Heinz, who went 21-14 with a 3.46 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 184.1 innings pitched. Elizabeth Birle also tossed 10.0 innings last season and could be looked upon for more action in the circle.

THE NEWBIES
Tech welcomes eight newcomers to the program this year, several of whom will be competing for immediate starting time. Here’s a look at each of them and where they might fit in:

Mikaela Aiken: a freshman pitcher from Longwood, Florida
Breanna Davenport: a freshman outfielder from Statesville, North Carolina
Ashley Kowalski: a freshman outfielder from Stanhope, New Jersey
Jessie Mehr: a freshman infielder from South Lyon, Michigan
Chelsea Sadler: a freshman outfielder from Lynchburg, Virginia
Whitney Saunders: a freshman infielder from Tazewell, Virginia
Caroline Schoenewald: a freshman outfielder from Jamison, Pennsylvania
Chelsea Whitcomb: a freshman utility player from Chesterfield, Virginia

WELCOME BACK, MERICKA
After missing most of the 2013 season with a back injury, Kelsey Mericka missed the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury. She had surgery in the fall of 2013 and took a redshirt season. She last played in an official game on March 23, 2013 against NC State, but is green-lighted for a full-go this season. She has hit .290 with 11 home runs in her 87 games played so far in her career.

SEASON OPENERS
The Hokies are 12-7 all-time in season openers and will look to build on that mark when they take on Maryland Friday morning. Tech has won its last six season openers.

SCOUTING COASTAL CAROLINA
Coastal Carolina is coming off an impressive 41-15 season which saw them one win away from a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Chanticleers rely on a strong pitching staff, led by senior Kiana Quolas, who went 27-5 with a 1.29 ERA last year. CCU’s top five hitters from a powerful offense a year ago return, led by Bri Chiusano (.392 BA, 48 SBs), Morgan Noad (.309 BA, 15 HRs) and Kory Hayden (.300, 18 HRs).

The Hokies are 8-6 all-time against Coastal Carolina, but lost the last game, a 6-5, 10-inning contest in 2011.

CCU’s 2014 stats
CCU’s 2015 roster

SCOUTING LAFAYETTE
Lafayette won just 10 games and hit just seven home runs last year, but did win four of their final seven to finish the season on a strong note. The top hitter returning is Bryn Gornick, who hit .243 on the season. She was also the Leopards’ top pitcher a year ago with a 3.32 ERA although she threw just 44.1 innings. Lindsey Cherry, who won three games and posted a 4.57 ERA, also returns.

Tech and Lafeyette have never met in softball, but will play three times this year, twice this weekend and once at a tournament hosted by ECU.

Lafayette’s 2014 stats
Lafayette’s 2015 roster

SCOUTING MARYLAND
Long-time ACC rival Maryland, now in the Big Ten, will be Tech’s opener to the 2015 season. The Terps went 11-35 last year, but did win one game against the Hokies last season. Now under a new head coach, Maryland returns a big slugger in Shannon Bustillos, who hit .336 with five home runs last year. Kaitlyn Schmeiser leads the pitching staff. After a solid junior season, she struggled last year, going 7-12 with a 4.99 ERA. Four other pitchers who saw action last year also return.

Tech is 19-20 all-time against the Terrapins, but did win two of three against them last year in College Park.

Maryland’s 2014 stats
Maryland’s 2015 roster

PRESEASON ACC POLL
The ACC coaches voted the Hokies fourth in the 2015 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released earlier this week. Florida State is the preseason favorite, according to the coaches, followed by Notre Dame, NC State, Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Pitt and Virginia.

The ACC is an 11-team league with the addition of Louisville coming in for Maryland. Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse joined the conference last year. Only the top eight teams in the league standings will make the conference tournament at Virginia Tech in May.

TECH SOFTBALL PARK
Tech Softball Park, home of Virginia Tech softball since 1998, has been a tough place for opposing teams to play over the years. Nearly 800 permanent seats have been added, along with lights, two more press boxes, a video board and a new sound system, making the facility a fine one for the Hokies to play. Currently, the capacity is 1,024 for games. Over the years, Tech has posted a 204-85 record at home.

UP NEXT
Next weekend, the Hokies will head to Jacksonville, Florida, to participate in a tournament hosted by the University of North Florida. Tech is schedule to take on Jacksonville State, James Madison, Maine and the host Dolphins.

RANDOM STATS AND NOTES
Career Grand Slams (active)
K. Mericka vs. Wagner, 2/24/12
L. Gaskill vs. Liberty, 5/1/12
K. McGoldrick vs. Long Beach St., 3/7/13
K. Smith vs. Syracuse, 5/8/14

Career Walk-Off Home Runs (active)
Katey Smith vs. Ball State, 2/18/14 - solo home run in B7 to win 5-4
Elizabeth Birle vs. North Carolina, 3/1/14 - solo home run in B7 to win 4-3

Career Games Started - by position (active)
L. Gaskill: 184 total - 122 CF; 62 SS
K. McGoldrick: 175 total - 175 2B
L. Spaw: 121 total - 121 DP
B. Liddle: 98 total - 68 1B; 20 P; 4 RF; 5 DP
K. Mericka: 85 total - 74 3B; 8 C; 5 DP
K. Smith: 64 total - 59 C; 4 DP, 1 1B
V. Gonzalez: 60 total - 60 LF
K. Heinz: 53 total - 53 P
M. Tyler: 39 total - 39 P
E. Birle: 20 total - 13 1B; 7 DP
M. Prong: 19 total - 9 DP; 8 RF; 1 3B; 1 LF
K. Ota: 4 total - 3 LF; 1 DP

Hokies by States (21)
Virginia: 7
New Jersey: 3
California: 2
Florida: 2
Pennsylvania: 2
Georgia: 1
Michigan: 1
Missouri: 1
New York: 1
North Carolina: 1

Hokies by Class (21)
Seniors: 5 (1 redshirt)
Juniors: 5 (2 redshirt)
Sophomores: 3
Freshmen: 8

Walk-Off Home Runs in Program History (16)
Bronwyn Blair vs. Charlotte, 3/25/98 - two-run home run in B8 to win 8-6
Tiffany Hurt vs. Radford, 2/21/01 - two-run home run in B7 to win 2-0
Amy Voorhees vs. Connecticut, 3/31/01 - solo home run in B10 to win 3-2
Megan Evans vs. Seton Hall, 5/5/02 - solo home run in B9 to win 1-0
Megan Evans vs. Virginia, 4/27/04 - grand slam in B8 to win 6-3
Stephanie Savre vs. Georgia Tech, 4/23/05 - grand slam in B7 to win 9-5
Caroline Stolle vs. Winthrop, 5/5/05 - solo home in B7 to win 2-1
Stephanie Savre vs. Radford, 3/1/06 - two-run home run in B9 to win 3-2
Beth Walker vs. North Carolina, 4/26/08 - three-run home run in B10 to win 5-2
Misty Hall vs. Louisville, 5/16/08 (NCAA Regionals) - solo home run in B7 to win 1-0
Jessica Everhart vs. Appalachian State, 2/21/09 - three-run home run in B8 to win 5-4
Misty Hall vs. Florida State, 4/17/10 - solo home run in B7 to win 5-4
Marra Hvozdovic vs. Western Michigan, 3/8/09 - solo home run in B7 to win 1-0
Betty Rose vs. Cornell, 3/20/12 - grand slam in B7 to win 8-4
Katey Smith vs. Ball State, 2/18/14 - solo home run in B7 to win 5-4
Elizabeth Birle vs. North Carolina, 3/1/14 - solo home run in B7 to win 4-3

Tech’s official record book, which includes game, season and career records, along with all of the no-hitters and perfect games in program history, can be found here.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Softball