Virginia Tech softball faced a tough challenge in their series opener against **Florida State**, battling hard to avoid a run-rule loss. The Hokies showed resilience and determination, but ultimately fell short against the highly ranked Seminoles in a **13-4** defeat [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-softball-hokies-avoid-run-rule-loss-in-game-one-against-florida-state-01jt9pp2hk3z?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvZWpMdWZSN3VnVGVWOU1BMzhZMmEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiR3EyUkFjZTJZWGdLa0NxOWo1NExYIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtc29mdGJhbGwtaG9raWVzLWF2b2lkLXJ1bi1ydWxlLWxvc3MtaW4tZ2FtZS1vbmUtYWdhaW5zdC1mbG9yaWRhLXN0YXRlLTAxanQ5cHAyaGszeiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
The game started with promise as **Sophie Kleiman**, a junior transfer from Indiana, took the circle for Virginia Tech. She managed to retire the first two Florida State batters, setting an optimistic tone for the Hokies. However, a two-out rally from the Seminoles quickly shifted the momentum. **Jaysoni Beachum** reached base with an infield single, followed by back-to-back walks that loaded the bases. **Amaya Ross** then delivered the first RBI of the game, putting Florida State ahead **2-0** [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-softball-hokies-avoid-run-rule-loss-in-game-one-against-florida-state-01jt9pp2hk3z?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvZWpMdWZSN3VnVGVWOU1BMzhZMmEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiR3EyUkFjZTJZWGdLa0NxOWo1NExYIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtc29mdGJhbGwtaG9raWVzLWF2b2lkLXJ1bi1ydWxlLWxvc3MtaW4tZ2FtZS1vbmUtYWdhaW5zdC1mbG9yaWRhLXN0YXRlLTAxanQ5cHAyaGszeiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Virginia Tech struggled offensively in the early innings, unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. **Ashtyn Danley**, Florida State’s pitcher, kept the Hokies in check, forcing a double play to end their first inning at-bat. The Seminoles continued to apply pressure, extending their lead with smart base running and timely hitting. **Isa Torres** singled in the second inning and later stole second, setting up another scoring opportunity that Florida State converted with ease State, particularly in the third inning [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-softball-hokies-avoid-run-rule-loss-in-game-one-against-florida-state-01jt9pp2hk3z?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJvZWpMdWZSN3VnVGVWOU1BMzhZMmEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiR3EyUkFjZTJZWGdLa0NxOWo1NExYIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtc29mdGJhbGwtaG9raWVzLWF2b2lkLXJ1bi1ydWxlLWxvc3MtaW4tZ2FtZS1vbmUtYWdhaW5zdC1mbG9yaWRhLXN0YXRlLTAxanQ5cHAyaGszeiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
The Hokies’ defense faced relentless attacks from Florida. With the bases loaded, Danley added an RBI single, pushing the score to **4-0**. Virginia Tech needed a spark,
