MIAMI - Despite a nearly two-hour rain delay that set things back, the Virginia Tech softball team came out hot and put away the host Florida International Golden Panthers Saturday night, 4-0, at the FIU Invitational.

Heather Lowry got the start in the circle and threw well for the second game in a row. The sophomore from Riverdale, Ga., got the start and went 2.1 innings before her defense let her down in the third inning. Leading 2-0, the Hokies committed two errors and the Golden Panthers loaded the bases with just one out

At that point, head coach Scot Thomas inserted All-American Angela Tincher to stop the bleeding. She got a fly out and a strikeout to promptly end the threat.

The Hokies struck first, scoring a run in the second inning. Charisse Mariconda led off with a single and moved to second on Caroline Stolle's sacrifice bunt. She came around to score on Misty Hall's single to left. In the third inning, Jenna Rhodes reached on an error and stole second base. Jessica Everhart drove her in with a single up the middle.

Tech struck for two runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. Mariconda singled again and scored from first base on Hall's double down the line. Hall eventually scored when Beth Walker stole second and the throw sailed into center field.

Tincher (W, 2-0) came in and went the final 4.2 innings. She allowed one infield hit and a walk while striking out nine. Lowry went 2.1 innings, giving up three hits and a walk in the no decision.

At the plate, Mariconda led the way with three hits and scored two runs. Hall had a pair of hits while Rhodes, who also had two stolen bases, had a hit, as did Everhart and Walker.

Tech (3-1) wraps up its opening weekend Sunday morning, taking on No. 21 Missouri at 9 a.m. The Hokies beat the Tigers 2-0 on Friday.