MIAMI - After a rocky start in the opening game of the season, the 15^th-ranked Virginia Tech softball team took down 21^st-ranked Missouri, 2-0, at the Florida International Invitational Friday afternoon at University Park.

The Tigers nearly got on the board in the first inning, taking advantage of a shaky Angela Tincher. The senior All-American gave up a single and walk to start the game, throwing nearly 30 pitches before recording the first out. But she settled down and struck out the last two batters of the inning to escape trouble.

The Hokies finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead. Kelsey Hoffman reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on Charisse Mariconda's single. Caroline Stolle then drove her in with a single just inside the third base bag.

In the fifth inning, Erin Ota singled to left and stole second base with two out in the inning. After Jessica Everhart walked, Hoffman reached on an infield single to load the bases. But Mariconda flew out to center to end the threat.

While that run got away, Misty Hall crushed a solo home run to deep left field in the sixth inning to give Tincher some breathing room. It was the sophomore's first D-I home run as she transferred in from Louisburg College this season.

After a slow start, Tincher (W, 1-0) was her usual dominating self. In her season debut, the Eagle Rock, Va., native allowed two infield singles and struck out 15 while walking three and hitting one batter.

At the plate, the Hokies strung together nine hits, led by two from Ota and two from Hall. Ota also had a stolen base. Everhart, Hoffman, Mariconda, Stolle and Beth Walker each had a hit in the win.

In the first game of the day, Tech fell to Pittsburgh, 3-0. Jessica Dignon was a thorn in the Hokies' side, driving in all three runs, including a two-run home run in the third inning.

Senior Elly Gosby (L, 0-1) got the start and lasted just 2.2 innings. She gave up three earned runs on six hits while striking out one. Heather Lowry relieved her in the third inning and went the final 3.1 innings. She gave up two hits and struck out two.

Mariconda, Jenna Rhodes and Hoffman each had two hits in the game while Beth Walker and Ota each had one. Rhodes also stole a base. Of the eight hits, seven came with two out and none resulted in a run. The Hokies had only two strikeouts, but grounded out 11 times.

Tech (1-1) will take on Texas-Arlington Saturday at 10 a.m., and then the host FIU Golden Panthers at 5:30 p.m.