1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (1-0)	2	0	2	0	5	5	14	15	0
Bethune-Cookman (0-2)	0	0	3	0	0	0	3	4	0
Jacksonville, FL - 323 Box Score

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Jacksonville (2-0)	1	7	2	0	0	0	1	11	13	5
Virginia Tech (1-1)	0	2	2	1	0	0	2	7	10	5
JU Softball Complex - 376 Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 15^th year of Virginia Tech softball started with a bang Saturday, but ended in rough fashion as the Hokies split a pair of games at the JU Softball Tournament. The Hokies began with a 14-3 win in six innings over Bethune-Cookman before falling to the host Jacksonville Dolphins 11-7 in the second game.

Tech opened the season in historic fashion, scoring the most runs and recording the most hits in a season opener in program history, downing Bethune-Cookman 14-3 in six innings. Tech scored two runs in the first and two more in the third inning before the Wildcats scored three in the third inning to tighten things up. But the Hokies scored five runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth to end the game early.

The Hokies got home runs from freshman Courtney Liddle and junior-transfer Ashton Ward to highlight the game. Senior Whitney Davis led the way with three hits while Richelle McGarva, Ward, Liddle and Misty Hall each had a pair of hits. McGarva led the way with four RBI while Ward had three and Davis had two. Freshmen Bkaye Smith and Stephanie Kujawa, as well as sophomore Marra Hvozdovic each had one hit.

Ward got the start in the circle and went two-plus innings before being relieved by freshman Jasmin Harrell. The freshman went four innings, recording 12-straight outs to end the game. Ward allowed three runs on four hits with three walks while Harrell had a pair of strikeouts.

In the second game, Jacksonville jumped all over Tech starting pitcher Kenzie Roark, scoring seven runs in a little over an inning to put things out of reach quickly. The Hokies scored two unearned runs in the second inning to tighten things and made a late comeback, but the Dolphins held on for the 11-7 win.

Trailing 10-2 in the third inning, the Hokies showed a little life, recording three-straight hits (back-to-back doubles by Liddle and Kristin Graham and a single by Davis) to score two runs. An RBI single by McGarva in the fourth drove in a run to make it 10-5. The Dolphins scored an unearned run in the seventh inning before Tech tried to make a comeback. A monster two-run home run by Liddle off the scoreboard made it 11-7, but the Hokies couldn’t get any closer.

Roark (L, 0-1) lasted just 1.1 innings before Harrell came in for an inning before Roark came back in. Harrell gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits with a strikeout and a walk while Roark pitched 6.0 innings, allowing eight runs (only three earned) on seven hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts.

Davis picked up another three hits to go 6-for-7 on the day with a walk. Liddle had two hits, including her second home run of the day while Smith, McGarva, Hall, Graham and Kristina Cruz each had a hit.

The two teams combined for 10 errors in the game, five for each squad.

Tech (1-1) will wrap up action in Florida on Sunday with a pair of games. They will open with Drexel at 9 a.m. and will then take on UNC Greensboro at 1 o’clock.