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Our intent is to provide our readers with more behind-the-scenes news and notes that otherwise may not make the front page of hokiesports.com.
July 2009 Archives
The Baltimore Ravens opened training camp on Wednesday and former Hokie wide receiver Justin Harper made his presence felt. Here's an update on the 2008 draftee courtesy of baltimoreravens.com
Earlier this week, both Virginia Tech head baseball coach Pete Hughes and Virginia Tech baseball player Austin Wates were guests on ESPN Blacksburg’s The Sean Bielawski Show, a daily radio show aired in the Blacksburg area.
Hughes talked about things such as his new contract extension and the indoor practice facility that is being built at English Field, while Wates touched on his summer experience in the Cape Cod Baseball League and his outlook of the Hokies’ 2010 season.
Click here to listen to Hughes’ interview. Click here to listen to Wates’ interview.
Hughes talked about things such as his new contract extension and the indoor practice facility that is being built at English Field, while Wates touched on his summer experience in the Cape Cod Baseball League and his outlook of the Hokies’ 2010 season.
Click here to listen to Hughes’ interview. Click here to listen to Wates’ interview.
Virginia Tech rising junior Austin Wates has been named the starting right fielder for the East Division in the upcoming Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game, which will take place at Fenway Park in Boston on July 23.
Through games of July 16, Wates was batting .385 with five doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
Hokie teammate and Harwich Mariners pitcher Mathew Price was named an alternate for the East squad. The rising sophomore sported a 2-0 record with one save and a 1.59 ERA in eight relief appearances (17 innings pitched) through July 16.
Through games of July 16, Wates was batting .385 with five doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
Hokie teammate and Harwich Mariners pitcher Mathew Price was named an alternate for the East squad. The rising sophomore sported a 2-0 record with one save and a 1.59 ERA in eight relief appearances (17 innings pitched) through July 16.
Virginia Tech rising sophomore Ronnie Shaban has been named to the National team for the upcoming Coastal Plain League All-Star Game, which will take place in Wilmington, N.C., on July 21.
Shaban, who will start the game at shortstop, is spending his summer with the Petersburg Generals. Through July 15, Shaban had played in 36 games and was among the league leaders in batting average (.328), doubles (9), home runs (6) and runs batted in (29). He was the Generals’ leader in all four categories.
Shaban will also take part in the CPL All-Star Home Run Derby, which will be held the night before the game, July 20.
Shaban, who will start the game at shortstop, is spending his summer with the Petersburg Generals. Through July 15, Shaban had played in 36 games and was among the league leaders in batting average (.328), doubles (9), home runs (6) and runs batted in (29). He was the Generals’ leader in all four categories.
Shaban will also take part in the CPL All-Star Home Run Derby, which will be held the night before the game, July 20.
Virginia Tech baseball player Austin Wates was recently featured on the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Web site in an article about the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, the team with which the rising junior is spending his summer.
Wates batted .397 for the Hokies in his sophomore campaign, leading the team with 20 doubles and 16 stolen bases. He started games at five different positions for Tech in 2009, but has settled into the outfield for the Red Sox.
Below is the excerpt from the article on the Cape Cod League’s Web site, www.capecodbaseball.org
Wates a True All-Around Hitter for Y-D
S. YARMOUTH, Mass. - Every good team has a marquee player, a batter or pitcher who is capable of carrying the team whenever he steps out onto the diamond. Outfielder Austin Wates (Virginia Tech) is that player for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
“Austin was one of the first players we signed,” said Y-D General Manager Jim Martin. “(Virginia Tech head baseball coach) Pete Hughes gave us a call and recommended Austin to us. We checked him out with the area scouts and everything checked out, so we signed him very early.”
Wates has more than checked out this year for the Red Sox. His .387 batting average leads the league, while his 29 hits puts him seven ahead of the next closest batter, teammate Blake Kelso (Houston). If that was not enough, Wates also is tied for the league lead in triples (with two), is second in on-base percentage (.459), tied for fourth in extra base hits (seven), and is fifth in slugging percentage (.509).
When asked if the Red Sox expected this type of production from Wates when they signed him, Martin admitted that “everyone looks good on paper,” but added that Wates’ astounding level of production has been “a very pleasant surprise.”
It is one thing to carry a team, but it is another altogether to do so as a gentleman. The fact that Martin has just as many good things to say about Wates’ character as he does about Wates’ playing ability speaks to the gentlemanly fashion in which the Seattle native approaches everything he does.
“Austin is one of the nicest guys on the team,” the G.M. said. “He is just so respectful and polite all the time. Everything is ‘yes sir,’ and ‘yes ma’am.’ He’s got a smile that lights up the room. And that’s a credit to his parents. Two of the nicest people you’ll meet. You talk to them for two minutes and you see why he’s such a great kid.”
Wates batted .397 for the Hokies in his sophomore campaign, leading the team with 20 doubles and 16 stolen bases. He started games at five different positions for Tech in 2009, but has settled into the outfield for the Red Sox.
Below is the excerpt from the article on the Cape Cod League’s Web site, www.capecodbaseball.org
Wates a True All-Around Hitter for Y-D
S. YARMOUTH, Mass. - Every good team has a marquee player, a batter or pitcher who is capable of carrying the team whenever he steps out onto the diamond. Outfielder Austin Wates (Virginia Tech) is that player for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
“Austin was one of the first players we signed,” said Y-D General Manager Jim Martin. “(Virginia Tech head baseball coach) Pete Hughes gave us a call and recommended Austin to us. We checked him out with the area scouts and everything checked out, so we signed him very early.”
Wates has more than checked out this year for the Red Sox. His .387 batting average leads the league, while his 29 hits puts him seven ahead of the next closest batter, teammate Blake Kelso (Houston). If that was not enough, Wates also is tied for the league lead in triples (with two), is second in on-base percentage (.459), tied for fourth in extra base hits (seven), and is fifth in slugging percentage (.509).
When asked if the Red Sox expected this type of production from Wates when they signed him, Martin admitted that “everyone looks good on paper,” but added that Wates’ astounding level of production has been “a very pleasant surprise.”
It is one thing to carry a team, but it is another altogether to do so as a gentleman. The fact that Martin has just as many good things to say about Wates’ character as he does about Wates’ playing ability speaks to the gentlemanly fashion in which the Seattle native approaches everything he does.
“Austin is one of the nicest guys on the team,” the G.M. said. “He is just so respectful and polite all the time. Everything is ‘yes sir,’ and ‘yes ma’am.’ He’s got a smile that lights up the room. And that’s a credit to his parents. Two of the nicest people you’ll meet. You talk to them for two minutes and you see why he’s such a great kid.”
On Wednesday, July 15, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd radio program, fans can bid on a Virginia Tech Experience. The package is part of the fifth annual Don't Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction on ESPN Radio. The auction will take place all day on the 15th, but the Virginia Tech Experience will only be available for bid for the one-hour period.
Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg will host a winner and his/her guest for an amazing experience for the Virginia Tech home football game against North Carolina on Thursday, October 29, 2009. This package includes two tickets on the 35-yard line for the game and a “Meet and Greet” with Hokie head football coach Frank Beamer on the sidelines prior to the game. Also included is an invitation to watch the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team practice that day, attend the basketball team’s tailgate party hosted by Coach Greenberg and his staff, and visit the media and hospitality suites of Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. There will also be a visit to the ESPN TV booth with Coach Greenberg. The winner will also receive a basketball autographed by Coach Greenberg, a Virginia Tech coaching shirt and t-shirt, as well as complimentary parking for the game.
Last year’s fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” set a record by raising $1,130,314 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a 323% increase from the inaugural event’s total of $201,000 in 2005. The event has raised more money each year ($435,770 in 2006 and $851,036 in 2007).
For more information on this package and others that will be available throughout the day on the 15th, log onto: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=vfoundation2009
Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg will host a winner and his/her guest for an amazing experience for the Virginia Tech home football game against North Carolina on Thursday, October 29, 2009. This package includes two tickets on the 35-yard line for the game and a “Meet and Greet” with Hokie head football coach Frank Beamer on the sidelines prior to the game. Also included is an invitation to watch the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team practice that day, attend the basketball team’s tailgate party hosted by Coach Greenberg and his staff, and visit the media and hospitality suites of Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. There will also be a visit to the ESPN TV booth with Coach Greenberg. The winner will also receive a basketball autographed by Coach Greenberg, a Virginia Tech coaching shirt and t-shirt, as well as complimentary parking for the game.
Last year’s fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” set a record by raising $1,130,314 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a 323% increase from the inaugural event’s total of $201,000 in 2005. The event has raised more money each year ($435,770 in 2006 and $851,036 in 2007).
For more information on this package and others that will be available throughout the day on the 15th, log onto: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=vfoundation2009
Former Virginia Tech baseball player Wyatt Toregas was recently named an International League All-Star and will take part in the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday night in Portland, Ore. The game is scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern, and will be televised live on ESPN2.
Toregas plays for the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, and is having a solid season as of the team’s catchers. In 52 games played, the Fairax, Va., native has batted .279 with seven home runs and 27 runs batted in.
The right-hander played three seasons for Virginia Tech from 2002-04 before getting drafted by the Indians in the 24th round of the 2004 draft. In 167 career games at Tech, Toregas accumulated a .314 batting average, 43 doubles, 22 home runs and 150 RBIs. He hit .347 as a rookie to earn honorable mention freshman All-American honors in 2002. He was then a first-team All-BIG EAST pick in 2003 after setting career highs with 60 RBIs and 10 homers.
Toregas plays for the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, and is having a solid season as of the team’s catchers. In 52 games played, the Fairax, Va., native has batted .279 with seven home runs and 27 runs batted in.
The right-hander played three seasons for Virginia Tech from 2002-04 before getting drafted by the Indians in the 24th round of the 2004 draft. In 167 career games at Tech, Toregas accumulated a .314 batting average, 43 doubles, 22 home runs and 150 RBIs. He hit .347 as a rookie to earn honorable mention freshman All-American honors in 2002. He was then a first-team All-BIG EAST pick in 2003 after setting career highs with 60 RBIs and 10 homers.
With the National Pro Fastpitch season at the midway point, here’s an update on the four individuals in the NPF with Virginia Tech ties:
Angela Tincher (Akron, P): After missing the first series due to her commitment to playing in Japan, Tincher has rounded into the form that made her an All-NPF selection a year ago. She is 4-1 on the year with a 1.48 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts. She threw a perfect game against Philadelphia in her last start and has her Racers in second place.
Jenna Rhodes (Rockford, OF): Rhodes, who signed as a free agent, is leading the league in stolen bases with 12 and lead her team in hits with 21. She is hitting .318 with an RBI as her Thunder sit in third place in the league.
Kelsey Hoffman (Akron, C): Hoffman has seen her playing time increase since the move was made to have her catch Tincher. It has paid off as the two combined for a perfect game Saturday night at Philadelphia. Hoffman, who signed as a free agent, is hitting .385 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Tequesta, Fla., native will get a chance to play in her home state as the Racers will play the USSSA Pride in Kissimmee this week.
Barb Sherwood (Akron, head coach): After a slow start, Sherwood has her Racers playing well right now as they’ve won nine of their last 10 games to move to 13-7 overall and in second place in the league. Sherwood, who is Tech’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, has been back to Blacksburg for the program’s summer camp and has continued to recruit for the Hokies this summer while doubling as the head coach of the Racers.
Angela Tincher (Akron, P): After missing the first series due to her commitment to playing in Japan, Tincher has rounded into the form that made her an All-NPF selection a year ago. She is 4-1 on the year with a 1.48 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts. She threw a perfect game against Philadelphia in her last start and has her Racers in second place.
Jenna Rhodes (Rockford, OF): Rhodes, who signed as a free agent, is leading the league in stolen bases with 12 and lead her team in hits with 21. She is hitting .318 with an RBI as her Thunder sit in third place in the league.
Kelsey Hoffman (Akron, C): Hoffman has seen her playing time increase since the move was made to have her catch Tincher. It has paid off as the two combined for a perfect game Saturday night at Philadelphia. Hoffman, who signed as a free agent, is hitting .385 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Tequesta, Fla., native will get a chance to play in her home state as the Racers will play the USSSA Pride in Kissimmee this week.
Barb Sherwood (Akron, head coach): After a slow start, Sherwood has her Racers playing well right now as they’ve won nine of their last 10 games to move to 13-7 overall and in second place in the league. Sherwood, who is Tech’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, has been back to Blacksburg for the program’s summer camp and has continued to recruit for the Hokies this summer while doubling as the head coach of the Racers.
With summer baseball season is at its midway point, some Hokies have been recognized for early success by being named to various all-star teams.
Rising sophomore Clark Labitan (RHP) will represent the Lake Norman Copperheads on the North team of the Southern Collegiate League All-Star Game on July 11. Labitan was 4-2 with one save in seven appearances (36 innings pitched) as of July 10. He owned a 3.25 ERA and had struck out 52 batters against just 12 walks.
Rising redshirt junior Matt Blow (1B/3B) will play in the Valley League All-Star Game on July 12 for the North team. Blow is spending the summer with the Woodstock River Bandits and he was hitting a team-high .333 with three home runs through 26 games played.
All-star games for other leagues are forthcoming, so check back to see if any other Hokies get the nod.
Rising sophomore Clark Labitan (RHP) will represent the Lake Norman Copperheads on the North team of the Southern Collegiate League All-Star Game on July 11. Labitan was 4-2 with one save in seven appearances (36 innings pitched) as of July 10. He owned a 3.25 ERA and had struck out 52 batters against just 12 walks.
Rising redshirt junior Matt Blow (1B/3B) will play in the Valley League All-Star Game on July 12 for the North team. Blow is spending the summer with the Woodstock River Bandits and he was hitting a team-high .333 with three home runs through 26 games played.
All-star games for other leagues are forthcoming, so check back to see if any other Hokies get the nod.
Former Virginia Tech basketball players Coleman Collins, Zabian Dowdell, Deron Washington and A.D. Vassallo will participate in the NBA Vegas Summer League, beginning Friday, July 10 at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus.
Collins will play for the NBA D-League Select team, comprised of 10 players from the NBA D-League. Collins played for the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League last season. His team will open play in the Vegas Summer League on Monday at 4 p.m. EDT against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Following that game, Dowdell will take the court with the Phoenix Suns team. Dowdell played last season in France. The Suns will face the Dallas Mavericks at 6 p.m. on Monday
The first former Hokie to take the court will be Deron Washington. Washington and the Detroit Pistons will play the Golden State Warriors at 6 p.m. on Friday. Washington, drafted by Detroit in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, played in Israel last season, but has signed a guaranteed contract with the Pistons this summer.
Tech’s most recent player in the league, A.D. Vassallo , will play for the Chicago Bulls team in the summer league. The Bulls begin play on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EDT against Golden State.
The only head-to-head meeting between two former Hokies will come on Friday, July 17 at 10 p.m. EDT, as Dowdell and the Suns will face Collins’ D-League team.
All games are available on-line at https://summerleague.istreamplanet.com/nba/default.asp.
Collins will play for the NBA D-League Select team, comprised of 10 players from the NBA D-League. Collins played for the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League last season. His team will open play in the Vegas Summer League on Monday at 4 p.m. EDT against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Following that game, Dowdell will take the court with the Phoenix Suns team. Dowdell played last season in France. The Suns will face the Dallas Mavericks at 6 p.m. on Monday
The first former Hokie to take the court will be Deron Washington. Washington and the Detroit Pistons will play the Golden State Warriors at 6 p.m. on Friday. Washington, drafted by Detroit in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, played in Israel last season, but has signed a guaranteed contract with the Pistons this summer.
Tech’s most recent player in the league, A.D. Vassallo , will play for the Chicago Bulls team in the summer league. The Bulls begin play on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EDT against Golden State.
The only head-to-head meeting between two former Hokies will come on Friday, July 17 at 10 p.m. EDT, as Dowdell and the Suns will face Collins’ D-League team.
All games are available on-line at https://summerleague.istreamplanet.com/nba/default.asp.
Virginia Tech men’s basketball players Jeff Allen and Malcolm Delaney have been invited to work as counselors at the LeBron James Nike Skills Academy this week at the University of Akron.
The rising juniors at Virginia Tech are two of 20 current college players that will work at the camp, which features 80 top high school players from around the country. In all, seven ACC players are working the camp.
Delaney was invited to work the camp after working at the Deron Williams Skills Academy in Dallas, Tex. Allen was invited after working the Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy in Phoenix earlier this summer. Nike hosts four academies in June with 20 players each and then the 80 players, along with top counselors invited from the four camps, advance to the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron.
The rising juniors at Virginia Tech are two of 20 current college players that will work at the camp, which features 80 top high school players from around the country. In all, seven ACC players are working the camp.
Delaney was invited to work the camp after working at the Deron Williams Skills Academy in Dallas, Tex. Allen was invited after working the Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy in Phoenix earlier this summer. Nike hosts four academies in June with 20 players each and then the 80 players, along with top counselors invited from the four camps, advance to the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron.
Virginia Tech incoming freshman David Wilson was named MVP of the IFAF Junior World Football Championship after helping to lead the USA to the gold medal Sunday with a 41-3 win over top-seeded Canada.
Wilson led the rushing attack Sunday with 87 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. For the three-game tournament, the Danville native rushed 33 times for 425 yards and nine touchdowns.
Fellow incoming freshman Tariq Edwards had two tackles Sunday, including an 18-yard sack.
Both players are expected to enroll for Summer II classes Tuesday at Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg will host a winner and his/her guest for an amazing experience for the Virginia Tech home football game against North Carolina on Thursday, October 29, 2009. This package includes two tickets on the 35-yard line for the game and a “Meet and Greet” with Hokie head football coach Frank Beamer on the sidelines prior to the game. Also included is an invitation to watch the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team practice that day, attend the basketball team’s tailgate party hosted by Coach Greenberg and his staff, and visit the media and hospitality suites of Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. There will also be a visit to the ESPN TV broadcast booth with Coach Greenberg. The winner will receive a basketball autographed by Coach Greenberg, a Virginia Tech coaching shirt and t-shirt, as well as complimentary parking for the game.
This package will be available on the fifth annual Don't Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction on July 15 on ESPN Radio. The auction will take place all day on the 15th and the Virginia Tech Experience will be available on The Herd with Colin Cowherd radio program between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. EDT.
Last year’s fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” set a record by raising $1,130,314 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a 323% increase from the inaugural event’s total of $201,000 in 2005. The event has raised more money each year ($435,770 in 2006 and $851,036 in 2007).
For more information on this package and others that will be available throughout the day on the 15th, log onto: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=vfoundation2009
This package will be available on the fifth annual Don't Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction on July 15 on ESPN Radio. The auction will take place all day on the 15th and the Virginia Tech Experience will be available on The Herd with Colin Cowherd radio program between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. EDT.
Last year’s fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” set a record by raising $1,130,314 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a 323% increase from the inaugural event’s total of $201,000 in 2005. The event has raised more money each year ($435,770 in 2006 and $851,036 in 2007).
For more information on this package and others that will be available throughout the day on the 15th, log onto: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=vfoundation2009
David Wilson, who is scheduled to enroll at Virginia Tech for Tuesday’s second summer session, had his second impressive performance in as many games as he helped lead the USA to a 55-0 win over Mexico Wednesday night in the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship. The game was played in front of 11,218 fans at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium.
Wilson, from Danville, Va., rushed 11 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns while catching a pass for 25 yards in helping to lead the Red, White and Blue to Sunday’s championship game against top-seeded Canada. He had rushing touchdowns of 50, 36 and 25 yards in the win.
Wilson has rushed for seven touchdowns and 327 yards on 23 carries through two games in the tournament, USA victories over France (78-0 Saturday) and Mexico.
Tariq Edwards, who also is scheduled to enroll next week, had two tackles, including a sack for a 9-yard loss.
USA (2-0) will play Canada (2-0) at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the Gold Medal Game at Fawcett Stadium after Canada defeated Japan 38-35. Mexico (1-1) will take on Japan (1-1) in the Bronze Medal Game at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.
Wilson, from Danville, Va., rushed 11 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns while catching a pass for 25 yards in helping to lead the Red, White and Blue to Sunday’s championship game against top-seeded Canada. He had rushing touchdowns of 50, 36 and 25 yards in the win.
Wilson has rushed for seven touchdowns and 327 yards on 23 carries through two games in the tournament, USA victories over France (78-0 Saturday) and Mexico.
Tariq Edwards, who also is scheduled to enroll next week, had two tackles, including a sack for a 9-yard loss.
USA (2-0) will play Canada (2-0) at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the Gold Medal Game at Fawcett Stadium after Canada defeated Japan 38-35. Mexico (1-1) will take on Japan (1-1) in the Bronze Medal Game at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Fawcett Stadium.
