The 2008 women's softball season proved monumental. The Hokies won their second straight ACC championship, a record no other team has claimed until now, beat the US National Team with a 1-0 no hitter victory, and topped things off by reaching the Women's College World Series.
Despite a winning and record-setting season for Virginia Tech, the program is sad to lose star pitcher and 2008 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Angela Tincher, All-ACC second-team catcher Kelsey Hoffman, and left fielder Caroline Stolle.
So where does Hokie softball go from here? Does it fall by the way side and become a one hit wonder, or does the organization become a permanent competitor with Pac-10 and SEC teams?
That question will remain unanswered for quite sometime, in fact, a whole year from now as the fans watch the 2009 season unfold. Although next year's schedule will not be as hard as this year's, it is certainly a schedule the team will not underestimate. "We have some tough highlights in our schedule," said Head Coach Scot Thomas, referring to the Lead-Off Classic in Columbus, Georgia.
In the past, other schools that have competed included Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Lee High, and Coastal Carolina. The champions of different conferences are invited each year.
Although the Hokies no longer have Tincher, Hoffman, and Stolle there are several remaining influential players on the roster. Among those returning to the diamond include rising juniors Whitney Davis, Jessica Everhart and Anna Zit.
After failing to score a run in both World Series games, it is obvious that hitting is a must for team's post-season assessment. Thomas focused on Tech's ability to produce runs in an interview with the Roanoke Times.
The Hokies averaged 3.6 runs per game in the 2008 season and must increase that average to compete on a higher level now that Tincher is no longer in the circle.
Fans should expect higher scoring games, as well as games in which Tech wins by more than one to two runs. Look for incoming freshman Kristen Froechlich, Kelsey Hensel, and Richelle McGarva to provide Tech with strong bats next spring.
Other players that will be returning next year, who proved to be essential in the batting order, consist of rising seniors Jenna Rhodes, Erin Ota, Charisse Mariconda, and rising junior Misty Hall.
Expect more defensive plays and competitive pitching.
"That's part of the challenge for the people coming in," said Tincher, "to see who wants to step up, and who wants to take over that role"
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