CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Wichita State softball team split the opening day in Charleston on Friday, with Virginia Tech handing the Shockers their first loss of the season 11-3. 

Sydney McKinney led the way for the Shockers in just her second career college game, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Adeline Reese collected her first career hit in her only at-bat of the game. 

Virginia Tech hit the ground running in the top of the first inning, taking a commanding four-run lead. Emma Strouth doubled to score the game's first run and the Hokies would score again off a wild pitch. After adding a two-run double to end the first-half inning, the Hokies extended their lead in the top of the second off a three-run home run. 

A single by Olivia Lattin made it a 8-0 Virginia Tech lead in the top of the third, with the Hokies adding another run in the half-inning with a sacrifice grounder to second. Virginia Tech would take its largest lead of the game, with Kelsey Bennett driving in two runs with a double to center field for an 11-run Hokie lead. 

The Shockers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, with McKinney hitting a sacrifice grounder that would score their first run. Madison Perrigan followed with a double to left-center that would drive in two runs and cut the deficit down to eight. 

After drawing two walks earlier in the game, Laurie Derrico started the bottom of the fifth with a double down the left field line. Wichita State got two runners on in the bottom of the fifth, but were unable to capitalize to prevent the run-rule. 

Erin McDonald pitched her first game of the season for the Shockers, pitching 2.2 innings and coming up with two strikeouts. Virginia Tech forced the Shockers to hit .285, with starting pitcher Carrie Eberle striking out seven Shocker batters. 

Wichita State (1-1) continues action in the Cougar Classic on Saturday, starting with Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. CST followed with a matchup against College of Charleston.