February 14, 2015
Tech moves to 8-0 with 4-2 win over Maine
Aiken, Mericka star in the victory
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Maine (1-2) 0000002221
Virginia Tech (8-0) 022000X490
  • Jacksonville, FL - 65

HIGHLIGHTS
Kelsey Mericka hit her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot
• Freshman Mikaela Aiken tossed a two-hitter, striking out eight
• The 8-0 start is the second-best in program history

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Virginia Tech softball team picked up a 4-2 win over Maine Saturday morning on the second day of a tournament hosted by the University of North Florida to move to 8-0 on the season.

The Hokies jumped on the Black Bears for two runs in the second inning as Elizabeth Birle drove in Kelsey Mericka with a single and then Vanessa Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch. In the third inning, Kylie McGoldrick doubled and trotted home when Kelsey Mericka connected on her fourth home run of the season to make it 4-0. The Black Bears made it interesting in the seventh inning, hitting a two-run home run and sending the tying run up to the plate, but a ground out ended the game.

Mikaela Aiken (W, 2-0) went the distance, allowing two runs on two hits with five walks and a career-high eight strikeouts.

The Hokies had nine hits, led by two apiece from Lauren Gaskill, Gonzalez and Mericka. McGoldrick, Breanna Davenport and Birle each had one.

At 8-0, this is the second-best start in program history. The best start ever for the Hokies came in 2006 when they started 10-0 before finishing with 39 wins.

The win was head coach Scot Thomas' 697th career victory.

Tech will return to action later today, taking on the undefeated and host Ospreys (7-0) at 2:30 p.m.

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