BLACKSBURG - The 2010 Virginia Tech softball team will kick off its exhibition season this weekend by playing four games at Penn State University in University Park, Pa., at Nittany Lion Field. The Hokies will play three games on Saturday - 10 am vs. St. Francis (Pa.), noon vs. Lock Haven and 4 o’clock against the host Nittany Lions. On Sunday, Tech will play Iona at 10 a.m., before heading back home.

The Hokies are looking to build on a strong finish from 2009 that saw them make the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. Ten newcomers are battling for playing time and should see plenty of action this weekend, including pitcher Ashton Ward, a transfer from the University of Tennessee, Kristina Cruz (3B), Bkaye Smith (SS/2B), Courtney Liddle (C) and Jasmin Harrell (P).

Penn State went 19-27 last year, 7-13 in the Big 10. Iona was 13-27, 4-10 in the MAAC, St. Francis was 21-30, 5-11 in the Northeast Conference and Lock Haven won the Division II national title with a 51-6 record, but lost its ace pitcher Kristin Erb (50-5, 0.47 ERA) to graduation.

Following these four game, the Hokies will host a fall tournament the weekend of Oct. 17-18 at Tech Softball Park.