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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.
Virginia Tech assistant coach Barb Sherwood has been named the field manager (head coach) of the Akron Racers of the NPF, as announced Tuesday by President/GM, Joey Arrietta. She will continue her role with the Hokies in the future while working with the NPF in the summer.
“I am looking forward to coaching the Racers,” Sherwood said. “Akron is a 'class' organization with a tremendous amount of talent on the roster. I believe it will be a great year in all aspects ... for the players, the city and the fans. Professionally, it is a great opportunity for me.”
Sherwood welcomes a roster that includes Virginia Tech’s former ace and 2008 All-NPF selection, Angela Tincher, catchers Kristen Butler (2008 NPF Defensive Player of the Year) and Olympic Gold Medalist Jenny Topping. The Racers roster will also feature two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Crystl Bustos, pitcher Jamie Juarez and infielder Kate Robinson. Tennessee’s Kenora Posey recently signed a free agent contract to suit up for the Racers in 2009.
Four Hokies took part in the "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour for the second time Thursday night as part of the Salem All-Stars, a group of local college athletes assembled to take on the USA Softball National Team at Kiwanis Park. While the USA won 9-0, the crowd of over 4,000 was treated to a nice of great softball.
Recently in Softball Category
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced Thursday the 18 athletes who have been selected for the 2010 USA Softball Women’s Futures National Team. The team, which includes both USA Softball rookies and those with program experience, consists of athletes who currently play or have played at 13 schools in six Division I conferences. Former Virginia Tech standout Angela Tincher was among the select group chosen to participate.
The Futures Team will kick off the season with exhibition games against the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team in Canton and Ashland, Ohio, June 16-17. They will also compete against the National Teams of Canada, Japan and the USA at the 2010 World Cup of Softball, July 22-26, at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Members of the Futures Team will also fill spots on the USA team competing at the Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship, July 7-11, in Surrey, B.C. and exhibition games in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 13-14. Futures players will also be included on the rosters for the Japan Cup, Aug. 3-9, in Sendai City, Japan. (Complete rosters for the tournaments in Canada and Japan will be announced at a later date.)
The complete roster includes:
Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif./California junior)
Katelyn Boyd (Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona State sophomore)
Raven Chavanne (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tennessee freshman)
Kenzie Fowler (Tucson, Ariz./Arizona freshman)
Jessica Iwata (Lihu'e, Hawaii/Hawaii freshman)
Molly Johnson (Tucson, Ariz./Kentucky senior)
Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif./UCLA senior)
Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Arizona junior)
Jenae Leles (Fair Oaks, Calif./Arizona 2009*)
Blaire Luna (Austin, Texas/Texas freshman)
Meagan May (Spring, Texas/Texas A&M freshman)
Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif./Florida 2009*)
Jamia Reid (Buena Park, Calif./California sophomore)
Lauren Schutzler (Monterey, Calif./Arizona junior)
Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif./Michigan junior)
Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va./Virginia Tech 2008*)
Niki Williams (Mission Viejo, Calif./Washington sophomore)
Shawna Wright (Lancaster, Calif./Washington freshman)
* Last year of college eligibility
Kate Drohan (Evanston, Ill./head coach Northwestern) will serve as Head Coach of the USA Futures National Team, marking her first time as a coach in the USA Softball program. Mike Larabee (Fayetteville, Ark./head coach Arkansas) and Jamie Pinkerton (Broken Arrow, Okla./asst. coach Iowa State) will serve as assistants for the Futures Team.
The Virginia Tech softball squad opened its fall exhibition season this past weekend in University Park on the campus of Penn State. Tech went 2-2 on the weekend, scoring 15 runs and collecting 30 hits for the event.
In the opener against St. Francis, Tech got production from top to bottom in a new look starting lineup en route to a 4-1 win. Freshman Bkaye Smith started the game with a single over the shortstop and would later score on a sacrifice fly by junior transfer Kristina Cruz. Richelle McGarva would later score on a passed ball to give the Hokies an early lead. That would be plenty of offense for Jasmine Harrell, who put together six strong innings of work in the circle. The freshman from Irvine, Calif., struck out six and allowed just four hits in earning the win. The Hokies would add two more insurance runs, one coming from transfer Ashton Ward. Abbie Rexrode worked the final inning for the save.
The Hokies picked up where they left off to start game two against Lock Haven as the first two batters sent to the plate would come around to score and then held on for the 9-5 win. Courtney Liddle paced the way going 3-for-4 with a deep home run to left-center. Junior Kenzie Roark pitched all seven innings, surrendering five runs en route to the win. Lock Haven made things interesting with a four-run fifth inning, capitalizing on two Hokie miscues. Freshman Betty Rose saw her first action in a Tech uniform, catching all seven innings and picking up a base hit.
Tech finished the day against host Penn State and came on the short end of a 3-2 pitchers’ dual. Ward toed the rubber for the Hokies, allowing three runs on five hits. The young lineup proved costly as miscommunication led to two of the three runs allowed. There were, however, two web gems turned in by the Hokie defense, one coming on a diving catch by McGarva and the other by Smith who snagged a line drive deep in the hole at shortstop. Liddle hit her second home run of the day in the loss.
On Sunday, the Hokies couldn’t get much going in falling 2-0 to Iona. All four pitchers pitched with Rexrode picking up the loss in two innings of work. Roark (2 IP), Harrell (1 IP) and Ward (1 IP) also got some work in. At the plate, Tech had just four hits with Cruz leading off the seventh inning with a double.
For the weekend, Ward led the way at the plate, going 6-for-11 (.545) with a double and run scored. Liddle hit .500 with two home runs and three runs scored. Harrell pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits for a perfect 0.00 ERA. Roark had a 2.33 ERA in nine innings pitched and Ward allowed three runs in seven innings.
Tech will wrap up its fall season the weekend of Oct. 17 & 18 at home.
In the opener against St. Francis, Tech got production from top to bottom in a new look starting lineup en route to a 4-1 win. Freshman Bkaye Smith started the game with a single over the shortstop and would later score on a sacrifice fly by junior transfer Kristina Cruz. Richelle McGarva would later score on a passed ball to give the Hokies an early lead. That would be plenty of offense for Jasmine Harrell, who put together six strong innings of work in the circle. The freshman from Irvine, Calif., struck out six and allowed just four hits in earning the win. The Hokies would add two more insurance runs, one coming from transfer Ashton Ward. Abbie Rexrode worked the final inning for the save.
The Hokies picked up where they left off to start game two against Lock Haven as the first two batters sent to the plate would come around to score and then held on for the 9-5 win. Courtney Liddle paced the way going 3-for-4 with a deep home run to left-center. Junior Kenzie Roark pitched all seven innings, surrendering five runs en route to the win. Lock Haven made things interesting with a four-run fifth inning, capitalizing on two Hokie miscues. Freshman Betty Rose saw her first action in a Tech uniform, catching all seven innings and picking up a base hit.
Tech finished the day against host Penn State and came on the short end of a 3-2 pitchers’ dual. Ward toed the rubber for the Hokies, allowing three runs on five hits. The young lineup proved costly as miscommunication led to two of the three runs allowed. There were, however, two web gems turned in by the Hokie defense, one coming on a diving catch by McGarva and the other by Smith who snagged a line drive deep in the hole at shortstop. Liddle hit her second home run of the day in the loss.
On Sunday, the Hokies couldn’t get much going in falling 2-0 to Iona. All four pitchers pitched with Rexrode picking up the loss in two innings of work. Roark (2 IP), Harrell (1 IP) and Ward (1 IP) also got some work in. At the plate, Tech had just four hits with Cruz leading off the seventh inning with a double.
For the weekend, Ward led the way at the plate, going 6-for-11 (.545) with a double and run scored. Liddle hit .500 with two home runs and three runs scored. Harrell pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits for a perfect 0.00 ERA. Roark had a 2.33 ERA in nine innings pitched and Ward allowed three runs in seven innings.
Tech will wrap up its fall season the weekend of Oct. 17 & 18 at home.
Angela Tincher and Jenna Rhodes were both named to the All-NPF Team and assistant coach Barb Sherwood led the coaching staff of the year, as announced Wednesday night prior to the league’s championship series.
Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va.) represents the Akron Racers as one of two pitchers selected to the All-NPF team. Tincher led the squad with the lowest ERA and picked up 67 strikeouts, which ranked her second among Racers starters in just 59 innings of work. A 2008 All-NPF Team selection, Tincher has been selected to the All-NPF team in back-to-back seasons since joining the NPF in 2008.
Rhodes (Broadway, Va.) was an at-large selection at designated player for the Rockford Thunder. In her rookie season for the Thunder, Rhodes finished the regular season third in NPF with 15 stolen bases and was tied for fourth in at-bats with 119. Rhodes also ended the regular season tied for 10th in the league with 29 hits.
The Akron Racers coaching staff received The Diamond Sports 2009 Coaching Staff of the Year accolade after Sherwood, the first-year coach, guided the Racers to a second place finish with a 26-14 record, including a 7-3 mark against the first place Bandits. Player-coach Radara McHugh and volunteer assistant coach Shawn Reis rounded out the Racers coaching staff, assisting Sherwood in the 2009 campaign.
The league championship series gets underway Thursday at Akron’s Firestone Stadium as the Racers, with Tincher, Sherwood and Kelsey Hoffman, take on Rhodes and the Thunder in a best-of-three semifinal series. The winner of the series gets the winner of the Chicago/Florida series.
On Sunday, Tincher even got a rare appearance at the plate in a 21-0 win over Equador. It was her first appearance at the plate in a game – not counting town league slow pitch softball after she graduated – since high school. Unfortunately, she struck out swinging.
She also pitched two innings in a 7-0 win over
The
You can keep up with the team at USA Softball's Web Site.
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.
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) announced today the three teams that will represent USA Softball Women's National team program during the 2009 summer season, kicking off with the Canada Cup, July 4-12. The three teams were selected after a selection camp last week in Chula Vista, Calif.
Former Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher was one of 17 players selected Pan Am Qualifier Team, as announced Monday by the organization.
The 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team will represent the USA at the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, July 31-Aug. 9. The team will be coached by head coach Jay Miller and assistants Karen Johns (Whippany, N.J.), Mike Larabee (Dayton, Ohio) and Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala.).
Tincher has returned from Tokyo, where she has been playing with LeoPalace 21 and is now back with the Akron Racers of the NPF for parts of the schedule until her USA Softball duties call. This is her second stint with USA Softball as she was a member of the gold-medal winning World University Games team in 2006.
The roster for the 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team is as follows:
Monica Abbott – Salinas, Calif.
K’Lee Arredondo – Tempe, Az.
Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y.
Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn.
Kaitlin Cochran – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Andrea Duran – Selma, Calif.
Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif.
Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Az.
Ashley Holcombe – Fayetteville, Ga.
Megan Langenfeld – Bakersfield, Calif.
Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif.
Nikki Nemitz – St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Melissa Roth – Long Beach, Calif.
Katie Schroeder – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Va.
Maggie Viefhaus – Pacific, Mo.
Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo.
Former Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher was one of 17 players selected Pan Am Qualifier Team, as announced Monday by the organization.
The 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team will represent the USA at the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, July 31-Aug. 9. The team will be coached by head coach Jay Miller and assistants Karen Johns (Whippany, N.J.), Mike Larabee (Dayton, Ohio) and Pat Murphy (Northport, Ala.).
Tincher has returned from Tokyo, where she has been playing with LeoPalace 21 and is now back with the Akron Racers of the NPF for parts of the schedule until her USA Softball duties call. This is her second stint with USA Softball as she was a member of the gold-medal winning World University Games team in 2006.
The roster for the 2009 USA Softball Pan American Qualifier Team is as follows:
Monica Abbott – Salinas, Calif.
K’Lee Arredondo – Tempe, Az.
Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y.
Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn.
Kaitlin Cochran – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Andrea Duran – Selma, Calif.
Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif.
Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Az.
Ashley Holcombe – Fayetteville, Ga.
Megan Langenfeld – Bakersfield, Calif.
Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif.
Nikki Nemitz – St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Melissa Roth – Long Beach, Calif.
Katie Schroeder – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Va.
Maggie Viefhaus – Pacific, Mo.
Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo.
With the NPF opening another season of softball this past Wednesday, several firsts have taken place for a few with Hokie ties as Rockford hosts Akron in a five-game series.
On Wednesday, in Rockford’s 3-0 win, former Hokie Jenna Rhodes (right) got her first start, stole a pair of bases and scored a run. In the opposite dugout sat former Hokie catcher Kelsey Hoffman, who got her first professional start behind the plate. On Thursday, current Tech assistant coach Barb Sherwood got her first victory as a head coach as her Akron team won 4-0. In that game, Rhodes picked up her first professional hit and swiped two more bases, giving her four in two games.
The series is being played without Akron ace Angela Tincher, who is finishing up the first half of the Japanese Pro League with LeoPalace 21 and will return to the States on Sunday for a tryout in Chula Vista, Calif., with the U.S. National Team June 8-12. She is expected to join the Racers next Sunday at the end of next week’s five-game series at home against Rockford (June 10-14), meaning all four Hokies in the NPF will be on the same field for the only time this year as it will be the last time Akron and Rockford meet.
On Wednesday, in Rockford’s 3-0 win, former Hokie Jenna Rhodes (right) got her first start, stole a pair of bases and scored a run. In the opposite dugout sat former Hokie catcher Kelsey Hoffman, who got her first professional start behind the plate. On Thursday, current Tech assistant coach Barb Sherwood got her first victory as a head coach as her Akron team won 4-0. In that game, Rhodes picked up her first professional hit and swiped two more bases, giving her four in two games.
The series is being played without Akron ace Angela Tincher, who is finishing up the first half of the Japanese Pro League with LeoPalace 21 and will return to the States on Sunday for a tryout in Chula Vista, Calif., with the U.S. National Team June 8-12. She is expected to join the Racers next Sunday at the end of next week’s five-game series at home against Rockford (June 10-14), meaning all four Hokies in the NPF will be on the same field for the only time this year as it will be the last time Akron and Rockford meet.
Senior Beth Walker (Galax, Va.) of the Hokie softball team was named to the 2009 ACC All-Tournament Team, as announced by the conference following the conclusion of the event. Walker went 5-for-6 with five RBI. She picked up two hits and an RBI in the win over Maryland in the first round and then hit a grand slam, along with a single and a double, in the loss to eventual champion Georgia Tech.
Below is the complete team:
2009 All-ACC Tournament Team
Whitney Haller, Georgia Tech
Sarah Hamilton, Florida State
Alyssa Ishibashi, NC State
Brittney McKinney, North Carolina
Kaleigh Rafter, Florida State
Blair Shimandle, Georgia Tech
Beth Walker, Virginia Tech
Kelsi Weseman, Georgia Tech
Carly Wynn, Florida State
Jen Yee, Georgia Tech
MVP
Kristen Adkins, Georgia Tech
Tech finished the season 28-28, failing to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) has announced its initial list of 27 athletes who have accepted an invite to the 2009 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp in Chula Vista, Calif., June 8-12. A list of additional attendees will be announced at a later date.
On the schedule for the USA Softball Women’s National team program are several International events including the World Cup of Softball presented by KFC in Oklahoma City, Okla., July 16-20. The World Cup will feature the top four finishers from the 2008 Olympic Games, including a Gold medal game rematch between Japan and the United States.
Making the invite list is former Hokie Angela Tincher, who has just started her season in Japan. She got the start in the opener and picked up the win as LeoPalace 21 rolled to a 14-1 win over Toda HP. She also threw a no-hitter in exhibition play.
The 2009 Selection Camp attendees include:
Monica Abbott – Salinas, Calif.
K’Lee Arredondo – Tempe, Az.
Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y.
Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn.
Ashley Brignac – River Ridge, La.
Katie Burkhart – San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Courtney Bures – Haymarket, Va.
Stacie Chambers – Glendale, Az.
Ashley Charters – Beaverton, Ore.
Kaitlin Cochran – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Andrea Duran – Selma, Calif.
Jennie Finch – La Mirada, Calif.
Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif.
Alissa Haber – Newark, Calif.
Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Az.
Tiffany Huff – Saugus, Calif.
Lauren Lappin – Anaheim, Calif.
Brittany Lastrapes – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Jenae Leles – Fair Oaks, Calif.
Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif.
Sam Marder – Calabasas, Calif.
Stacey Nelson – Moline, Ill.
Cat Osterman – Houston, Texas
Brittany Rogers – Dacula, Ga.
Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Va.
Natasha Watley – Irvine, Calif.
Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo.
On the schedule for the USA Softball Women’s National team program are several International events including the World Cup of Softball presented by KFC in Oklahoma City, Okla., July 16-20. The World Cup will feature the top four finishers from the 2008 Olympic Games, including a Gold medal game rematch between Japan and the United States.
Making the invite list is former Hokie Angela Tincher, who has just started her season in Japan. She got the start in the opener and picked up the win as LeoPalace 21 rolled to a 14-1 win over Toda HP. She also threw a no-hitter in exhibition play.
The 2009 Selection Camp attendees include:
Monica Abbott – Salinas, Calif.
K’Lee Arredondo – Tempe, Az.
Brandice Balschmiter – Newark, N.Y.
Chelsea Bramlett – Cordova, Tenn.
Ashley Brignac – River Ridge, La.
Katie Burkhart – San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Courtney Bures – Haymarket, Va.
Stacie Chambers – Glendale, Az.
Ashley Charters – Beaverton, Ore.
Kaitlin Cochran – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Andrea Duran – Selma, Calif.
Jennie Finch – La Mirada, Calif.
Vicky Galindo – Union City, Calif.
Alissa Haber – Newark, Calif.
Ashley Hansen – Chandler, Az.
Tiffany Huff – Saugus, Calif.
Lauren Lappin – Anaheim, Calif.
Brittany Lastrapes – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Jenae Leles – Fair Oaks, Calif.
Caitlin Lowe – Tustin, Calif.
Sam Marder – Calabasas, Calif.
Stacey Nelson – Moline, Ill.
Cat Osterman – Houston, Texas
Brittany Rogers – Dacula, Ga.
Angela Tincher – Eagle Rock, Va.
Natasha Watley – Irvine, Calif.
Tammy Williams – Roscoe, Mo.
With a run scored this weekend at Florida State, senior Charisse Mariconda will join an elite club of softball players at Virginia Tech who have recorded 200 career hits, 100 career RBI and 100 career runs. Mariconda currently has 208 hits, 119 RBI and 99 runs scored.
Only four other Tech players have accomplished this in the 14-year history of the program and arguably they are among the top position players in the program’s history. They are: Michelle Meadows (254-131-122), Kara Krumhardt (235-115-129), Megan Evans (212-161-117) and Clarisa Crowell (200-103-104).
The reigning Virginia Tech Athlete of the Week has started all 223 games of her career and needs just five doubles to set a new school record for a career. Meadows had 48 two-baggers from 1997-2000. Mariconda picked up a double against ETSU on Tuesday and now has 44.
Only four other Tech players have accomplished this in the 14-year history of the program and arguably they are among the top position players in the program’s history. They are: Michelle Meadows (254-131-122), Kara Krumhardt (235-115-129), Megan Evans (212-161-117) and Clarisa Crowell (200-103-104).
The reigning Virginia Tech Athlete of the Week has started all 223 games of her career and needs just five doubles to set a new school record for a career. Meadows had 48 two-baggers from 1997-2000. Mariconda picked up a double against ETSU on Tuesday and now has 44.
Virginia Tech softball signee Courtney Liddle of Haymarket, Va., is listed as one of the top 25 senior softball players in the country by ESPNU, as released this week. The catcher, who led Battlefield High School to a state runner-up finish last year, signed with the Hokies in the fall. She was also named an Under Armour All-American last season and earned first-team All-Met honors from The Washington Post after hitting .471 as a junior with five home runs.
The full list can be found here.
The full list can be found here.
The Virginia Tech baseball and softball teams each host an ACC series this weekend, and each will feature some free stuff for fans in attendance!
The first 300 fans to the softball team’s double-header with N.C. State at noon on Saturday will receive a VT ACC Championship T-shirt. There will also be posters and schedule magnets available,
It is also First Responders Day at English Field on Saturday when the baseball team takes on No. 1 North Carolina. More information will be available about the event, but the first 200 fans will receive a VT thermal mug.
Then come back to Tech Softball Park on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the series finale to receive a free set of VT eye black.
Visit the promotions page for more information.
The first 300 fans to the softball team’s double-header with N.C. State at noon on Saturday will receive a VT ACC Championship T-shirt. There will also be posters and schedule magnets available,
It is also First Responders Day at English Field on Saturday when the baseball team takes on No. 1 North Carolina. More information will be available about the event, but the first 200 fans will receive a VT thermal mug.
Then come back to Tech Softball Park on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the series finale to receive a free set of VT eye black.
Visit the promotions page for more information.
Virginia Tech assistant coach Barb Sherwood has been named the field manager (head coach) of the Akron Racers of the NPF, as announced Tuesday by President/GM, Joey Arrietta. She will continue her role with the Hokies in the future while working with the NPF in the summer.
“I am looking forward to coaching the Racers,” Sherwood said. “Akron is a 'class' organization with a tremendous amount of talent on the roster. I believe it will be a great year in all aspects ... for the players, the city and the fans. Professionally, it is a great opportunity for me.”
Sherwood welcomes a roster that includes Virginia Tech’s former ace and 2008 All-NPF selection, Angela Tincher, catchers Kristen Butler (2008 NPF Defensive Player of the Year) and Olympic Gold Medalist Jenny Topping. The Racers roster will also feature two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Crystl Bustos, pitcher Jamie Juarez and infielder Kate Robinson. Tennessee’s Kenora Posey recently signed a free agent contract to suit up for the Racers in 2009.
The Virginia Tech softball team will open its 2009 season ranked 20th in the country, as released Tuesday in the 2009 USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Preseason Poll. The University of Florida, which set an NCAA record with 70 victories in the 2008 season, has been selected by the NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll Committee as the No. 1 team. The Gators finished tied for third at last year’s Women’s College World Series behind NCAA Division I champion Arizona State and runner-up Texas A&M. The Sun Devils received half of the available first place votes (15) and are ranked second in the preseason poll.
The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. The complete poll can be found here.
The first 2009 regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Tech, which began practice this week, is coming off a berth in the Women’s College World Series and back-to-back ACC titles. The Hokies begin the season on Feb. 6 against Maine at the Chattanooga Challenge.
The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. The complete poll can be found here.
The first 2009 regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Tech, which began practice this week, is coming off a berth in the Women’s College World Series and back-to-back ACC titles. The Hokies begin the season on Feb. 6 against Maine at the Chattanooga Challenge.
Former Virginia Tech softball pitcher Angela Tincher has been named the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio).
Concluding her collegiate career this past summer at the Women’s College World Series, Tincher finished as one of only three players in NCAA history with more than 2,000 career strikeouts. She not only led the Hokies to the school's first appearance in the WCWS, but pitched a no-hitter against the U.S. National Softball Team to end its 185-game unbeaten streak.
Tincher pitched for the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch during the summer and has signed to pitch in Japan next year around her NPF duties.
Off the diamond, the three-time All American who also earned national player of the year honors, graduated from Virginia Tech summa cum laude with a degree in finance.
The Touchdown Club of Columbus will present the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year Award during the club's 54th Annual Sports Awards Banquet on Feb. 7, 2009. Additional information is available by visiting www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com.
Fans can catch their first glimpse of the 2009 Virginia Tech softball team this weekend when the Hokies host the Hokie Fall Ball Tournament at Tech Softball Park in Blacksburg. Five area teams will converge on the twon for a two-day, 10-game round-robin exhibition tournament.
Tech will play two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each day, there will be three games prior to the Hokies' contests. Radford, West Virginia Wesleyan, Limestone and Hampton make up this weekend's field.
Tech will play West Virginia Wesleyan at 4 p.m., on Saturday, followed by Limestone at 6:30. On Sunday, the Hokies will face Hampton at 4:15 and Radford at 6:30.
The roster features a lot of new faces for the two-time defending ACC Champions. The Hokies will take a few weeks off before playing in their second fall exhibition tournament on Oct. 10 and 11 at Salem.
Admission is free and roster cards for the Tech squad will be provided.
A full recap of the entire eight-game season will be available in late October or check out Scot Thomas' "Inside the Dugout" for more insight on the program and fall.
For the full fall schedule, as well as the 2009 softball schedule, check out hokiesports.com.
Former Virginia Tech softball pitcher Angela Tincher has been named to the All-NPF Team, as announced Thursday night by the league. Tincher, the No. 3 overall pick by the Akron Racers, was one of four pitchers named to the 18-player squad.
The USA College Softball Player of the Year, she pitched a team-high 131.2 innings en route to a 12-11 record for the Racers this past summer. She led the league with 157 strikeouts after breaking the 2,000-strikeout mark in her final season at Virginia Tech. Tincher posted a 2.03 ERA, good enough for third place on the NPF leader board. Her world-wind summer included a trip to Los Angeles for the 2008 ESPY Awards during the middle of the season.
Four Hokies took part in the "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour for the second time Thursday night as part of the Salem All-Stars, a group of local college athletes assembled to take on the USA Softball National Team at Kiwanis Park. While the USA won 9-0, the crowd of over 4,000 was treated to a nice of great softball.Tech's Jenna Rhodes opened the game with a bunt single on the first pitch of the game and Jessica Everhart singled to right-center field in the second inning. Those would be the only two hits of the game for Salem off USA starter Cat Osterman, who struck out 15 in seven innings of work.
Beth Walker played the whole game at first base and her sister, Amber, caught the last four innings of the game. All four of the players from Tech on Thursday's team will be back for next year.
With the win, Team USA moves to 58-1 with one game remaining on the tour before heading to China to start play Aug. 12. That lone loss came at the hands of Virginia Tech on March 26, a 1-0 win for the Hokies.
Several members of the Virginia Tech softball squad will suit up for the Salem All-Stars Thursday night as the USA National Team comes to town for one of its last exhibitions. The USA comes in at 57-1 with its lone loss coming to the Hokies back in March. A dozen or so local college players from Tech, Radford, UNC Greensboro, Appalachian State, Virginia, Winthrop and West Virginia Wesleyan. Most of the players have some tie to the area, either playing college or high school ball in the area.
For Tech, Beth and Amber Walker, Jess Everhart and Jenna Rhodes will suit up. The team will be led by Scot Thomas with assistance from Al Brauns and another college coach.
The game will start at 7 o’clock Thursday night at Salem Kiwanis Field and is sold out. Other notables playing will be Radford’s Ashley Taylor and Jennifer Everhart, Virginia’s Kelly Haller and Winthop’s Cari Wooldridge.
Angela Tincher survived a re-match with the Red, White & Blue last night as her Akron Racers took on the world’s best. Tincher no-hit the Olympians in March and the team was surely looking forward to making amends. But Tincher once again held them in check, setting them down in order in the first two innings. She allowed a run on two singles in the third inning, but left the game leading 2-1. The Racers gave up four runs in the seventh and lost 6-2. Tincher got a no-decision, throwing 3.0 innings. She gave up one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out five.
The USA will play one last exhibition game in Irvine, Calif., before heading to Beijing to defend its three Olympic gold medals.
For Tech, Beth and Amber Walker, Jess Everhart and Jenna Rhodes will suit up. The team will be led by Scot Thomas with assistance from Al Brauns and another college coach.
The game will start at 7 o’clock Thursday night at Salem Kiwanis Field and is sold out. Other notables playing will be Radford’s Ashley Taylor and Jennifer Everhart, Virginia’s Kelly Haller and Winthop’s Cari Wooldridge.
Angela Tincher survived a re-match with the Red, White & Blue last night as her Akron Racers took on the world’s best. Tincher no-hit the Olympians in March and the team was surely looking forward to making amends. But Tincher once again held them in check, setting them down in order in the first two innings. She allowed a run on two singles in the third inning, but left the game leading 2-1. The Racers gave up four runs in the seventh and lost 6-2. Tincher got a no-decision, throwing 3.0 innings. She gave up one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out five.
The USA will play one last exhibition game in Irvine, Calif., before heading to Beijing to defend its three Olympic gold medals.
After a rough professional debut, former Hokie Angela Tincher showed why she was the No. 3 overall draft pick by no-hitting the Washington Glory Saturday night at Firestone Stadium in a 1-0 win by the Akron Racers.
She record 10 strikeouts in seven innings and now has struck out 17 in 10.1 innings of professional softball. Saturday night, she struck out five in the first two innings.
The game was a scoreless affair until the seventh inning. Kate Robinson reached second on a misplay it and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Angelina Mexicano. Susan Ogden hit a sharp grounder to the shortstop who fielded it cleanly, but she rushed her throw to first and it dragged the first baseman off the bag leaving Ogden safe at first and Robinson at home with the scoring run.
Tincher received a standing ovation from the crowd at Firestone Stadium when she came out of the dugout with her first no hitter and win at the professional level.
