The fourth inning continued to be kind to the Hokies as they were able to defeat Tennessee in the regional final of the NCAA Softball Tournament. Second baseman Erin Ota got things started in the fourth inning with a single up the middle off a full count pitch.
Misty Hall, the hero of the game against Louisville, homered after the single bringing Ota home. Right fielder Whitney Davis and center fielder Jessica Everhart also each garnered one RBI.
The Hokies have now outscored their opponents in the fourth
inning 59-3.
Angela Tincher was able to muster up enough strength to
deliver a superb performance which will allow Tech to advance to the super
regional in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Tincher pitched all seven innings after being pulled in the first game of the day; she only gave up two runs on four hits while striking out twelve batters.
Megan Rhodes of Tennessee pitched six and two-third innings while giving up three earned runs on two hits, respectively.
This is the first time the Hokies have advanced past the Knoxville regional of the NCAA women's softball tournament. Tech has gone to the Knoxville regional three of the last four years, but today's victory held a great deal of significance for the players and especially coach Scot Thomas since Tech has never been able to get out of regionals nor advance to the super regionals.
The Hokies will now head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan in the super regional in a best of three series. Michigan is 51-6 on the year and figures to be a tough test. The Wolverines have a young, talented freshman pitcher in Jordan Taylor who only gave up one hit and no runs in their victory against Kent State to clinch a spot in the super regional.
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This bit of information came from Hokiesports.com: Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Erin Ota singled before the skies opened up and forced both teams off the field with Tennessee clearly holding control of things. But the Hokies regrouped and made some adjustments during the 56-minute delay. But just as the delay was about to end, Tennessee officials made the mistake of playing "Enter Sandman" - the unofficial second fight song of the athletic department - and sent the Hokie dugout into a frenzy before the song was quickly cut off, but too late as the spirits had been lifted. With her energy level at its peak, Misty Hall stepped to the plate and ripped a two-run home run down the left field line off Megan Rhodes to suddenly give the Hokies the lead and renewed confidence... PRICELESS!! GO HOKIES!!
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Since this game wasn't on TV, I listened to it on the computer and it was fantastic! The Hokies were a whole different team after the rain delay. These young women are true champions.
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I love it...nobody ever cared about softball until now. BFD. Tech fans are so fairweather....it's only if they win anybody cares. Remember the bad days of football? Could not give tickets away at Lane.
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Sorry you feel that way, Derek. I, for one, have been enjoying Tech softball ever since I first saw the ladies play 4 years ago. They have more spirit and drive than any other team at Tech.
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Derek, why are you hatin' on the team, man? Give them their props, this is the best they have ever done. I have followed Tech softball back to the club days and the first game on the IM-REC fields on 3/1/1996, so no bandwagon here. Alot of people care about softball here at Tech. Have you ever been down to a game and seen the crowds? Probably not.. GO HOKIES!! GOAL: OKLAHOMA CITY!!
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If you ask me I would say they did really well and Misty keep hitten the way u are you r the bomb on the team and wen u and reese were running over everyone in oklahoma that was the best part besides your homer I was there to see that and i hope to beat TA next year in JV. I hope to come to the camp next year so make sure that i am on your team cuz you are the bomb.
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