CONWAY, S.C. - Lafayette softball opened the 2015 season on Friday at the Kickin' Chicken Classic at Coastal Carolina University.

The youthful Leopards, who started five first-year players in game one and six in game two, dropped a pair of decisions against Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina which finished 2014 with 36-23 and 41-15 records, respectively.

In the opener, the Leopards were held to one hit in a 10-0 five-inning decision as sophomore Jenna Orlando connected for a one-out single in the second.

The Hokies led from the outset, pounding out three runs in the second inning highlighted by a Kelsey Mericka solo home run off Lafayette starter Lindsey Cherry.

The big inning for Virginia Tech (1-0) was the five-run second. Kylie McGoldrick delivered a three-run homer to left field as Virginia Tech led 8-0. All five of the runs Cherry gave up in the inning were unearned.

Cherry pitched into the third before giving way to classmate Kristyn Marinelli. Cherry allowed 10 runs, four earned, on eight hits. Marinelli gave up one hit in an inning and a third of relief. Maggie Tyler collected the win, striking out four in the requisite four innings.

In the second game of the day, Coastal Carolina broke open a scoreless game with four runs in the in the third on the way to an 8-0 final.

"We just let the game get too fast for us. Most of Virginia Tech's runs came on things we can control," said second-year head coach Jexx Varner. "We had solid ABs but didn't get the end results we were looking for. It'll come and we get to see them a couple more times."

Amanda Daneker (single) and Kelsey Dominick (double) reached Lafayette freshman starter Stephanie Thomas for four runs in the third frame. The Chanticleers (1-0) used Morgan Noad's solo home run to start the rally. Kailey Mellen (single) and Kasey Oliver (walk) each plated run for the 8-0 final in five innings. Mellen was 3-for-3 on the night.

Offensively for the Leopards, Bryn Gornick, Allison Brown, Rebecca Dvorak, Miranda Skurla and Morgan Biddle all managed base hits.

Thomas was the pitcher of record, allowing seven runs (6 earned) on eight hits in four innings. CCU's Kiana Quolas struck out five in five innings while surrendering five hits.

"We had so many chances but didn't cash them in. A couple of key hits change the entire tone of that game. Our pitchers, in both games, need to locate better and they will, but that's what both teams (Virginia Tech & Coastal Carolina) took advantage of. Ultimately everything today was something we can control and will grow and get better naturally. That's an encouraging thought when playing such great competition!"

Lafayette's tournament play continues on Saturday, as the Leopards play Maryland at 10 a.m. and face the hosts at 3 p.m. at Coastal Carolina Softball Stadium.