BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech Athletics Department, along with head softball coach Scot Thomas, announced Thursday the transfer of standout pitcher Ashton Ward, who has been granted a full release from the University of Tennessee and will be eligible for the upcoming softball season.

Ward, who will be a junior, is a 6-foot righty who went 30-7 in two years at UT, playing in two NCAA Regionals. The Charlotte, N.C., product was named to the NFCA All-South Region Team as a freshman after posting a 27-5 record and a 1.92 ERA. She was a high school All-American her senior year at Butler High.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to have Ashton in our program,” Thomas said. "She brings a lot of experience having played at a solid program. We recruited her out of high school and wanted her because we knew she could be an impact player. Our expectations for her are high and I know she’s ready for the challenge.”

In addition to the six players who signed with Tech for 2009-10, the program announced that Sarah Ashby (Vinton, Va.; William Byrd HS), Elizabeth Kosowski (Wheeling, W.Va.; Wheeling Park HS) and Betty Rose (South Boston, Va.; Halifax County HS) have been admitted to Tech and have signed their offers of admissions. The three will join the team as invited walk-ons.