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	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (9-0)	0	4	2	0	0	0	1	7	9	3
North Florida (7-1)	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	7	2
UNF Softball Complex - 283 Box Score

HIGHLIGHTS
• Maggie Tyler struck out 11 in relief, picking up the win
• The Hokies overcame an early three-run deficit
• Lauren Gaskill tied her career high with four RBIs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Virginia Tech softball team fell behind early on, but rallied to beat previously unbeaten North Florida 7-4 Saturday afternoon to move to 9-0 on the season.

The Ospreys scored three unearned runs in the first inning, but the Hokies responded right back, getting four runs in the top of the second inning. Lauren Gaskill drove in two runs with a single up the middle and then Kylie McGoldrick drove in a run with a single of her own. Gaskill scored the fourth run of the inning on an illegal pitch.

In the third inning, Gaskill struck again, doubling in Bailey Liddle and Michelle Prong to give Tech a 6-3 lead. The Ospreys got a run back in the bottom half of the inning, converting a Tech error into a run, their fourth unearned run of the game.

In the top of the seventh inning, junior Kelsey Mericka blasted a solo home run, her fifth of the season, to give Tech a three-run cushion.

Kelly Heinz got the start, but was relieved in the first inning. She allowed three unearned runs on three hits in the 2/3 of an inning she pitched. Maggie Tyler (W, 4-0) went the final 6.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts.

Gaskill tied her career high with four RBIs, picking up a pair of hits. Liddle and Elizabeth Birle both had two hits while Breanna Davenport, McGoldrick and Mericka each had one.

At 9-0, 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 No. 698 for head coach Scot Thomas.

Tech will return to action on Sunday, taking on Jacksonville State at 12:15 p.m. The Hokies beat the Gamecocks 4-0 on Friday to open the tournament.

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