1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (4-2)	0	0	0	1	0	3	4	1	0	9	14	4
Charleston Southern (3-2)	0	1	5	1	1	0	0	1	1	10	10	2
Buccaneer Field Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Despite a valiant comeback, the Virginia Tech softball team dropped a 10-9 decision to host Charleston Southern University in nine innings Friday afternoon at the Buccaneer Invitational. Tech scored three runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh inning to tie the game up, but CSU scored in the bottom of the ninth inning to win it.

The Bucs struck first with a run in the second inning on a double by Stephanie Sbardella and then tacked on two more runs in the third inning when Tech third baseman Kristina Cruz had a throwing error with the bases loaded. Another run scored on an single and two more came in on a single to center field to break open the game.

Tech starter Jasmin Harrell lasted just 2.1 innings, but wasn’t helped out by her defense. She allowed six runs (only one earned) on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts. The Hokies committed three errors while she was in the circle. Kenzie Roark pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ashton Ward pitched 3.0+ innings, allowing two runs (both unearned) on two hits with two walks (one intentional) and three stikeouts.

Tech finally got on the board in the fourth inning when Kristina Cruz doubled in Kristen Froehlich, but the Bucs scored in the fourth and again in the fifth to make it 8-2. In the sixth inning, Froehlich led off with a double and Kat Banks drove her in with a double to make it 8-2. Banks scored on an error, but with runners on second and third base with no outs, Richelle McGarva struck out before Ward drove home Betty Rose with a groundout and Bkaye Smith grounded out to end the threat.

In the seventh, Anderson and Courtney Liddle both singled to lead off the inning and both moved up on a wild pitch. Froehlich drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to plate Anderson. Banks drove in Liddle with a single to center to make it 8-6. Rose then hit her second career home run, a two-run shot to tie up the game at 8-8 that sparked the Hokies.

In the eighth inning, Anderson picked up her fourth hit of the game, a double to drive in Richelle McGarva who started the inning on second base because of the tiebreaker rule. CSU countered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to send the game to the ninth inning. The Hokies struck out three times in their half of the ninth inning and the Bucs won it with a single in the bottom half of the inning.

The Hokies picked up 13 hits against CSU ace Morgan Dowdy, who was the Big South Pitcher of the Week last week, and one against reliever Kimberly Hobbs in extra innings. Those hits came from Dani Anderson (four), Smith (two), Froehlich (two), Banks (two), Rose (two), Cruz and Liddle.

Tech committed four errors in the CSU game after recording two in the first game of the day, a 2-1 loss to Ohio.

With the loss, the Hokies fall to 4-2 while CSU improves to 3-2 with the win. Tech will be back in action on Saturday, taking on Mercer at 9 a.m., and then will play again at 1 o'clock in the third-place game or at 3 o'clock in the title game.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Softball).