“Also, her leadership ... she’s leading by example,” Liddle said. “On the mound, she’s always really focused and has a really good attitude, and especially for a lot of younger girls who are feeding off that energy, that’s perfect.”
While she did not experience the high numbers of her freshman year in the 2009 season, only appearing in 24 games as a pitcher and compiling just a 3-2 record on 59.2 innings pitched, head coach Scot Thomas feels that she will contribute in multiple ways this season.
“Basically, what she is doing is really helping us from a depth standpoint at the pitching spot, and I think one of the things that we’re going to utilize her at is hitting,” Thomas said.
“She can hit the ball, and she’s actually going to probably be a three or four hitter for us,” Thomas said. “I don’t think she’s necessarily replacing anything, she’s just an addition to what we have, and obviously a solid one at that.”
As for fitting in with her new teammates, Ward was nothing but smiles.
“It’s been wonderful,” Ward said. “It was all a very fast process and it was great. It was all very relieving,
very fast.
“Honestly, I’ve played on many teams my whole life,” Ward said. “This team was so welcoming and so nice to me. Everyone is a big family, it really is. It makes it a lot more fun. I haven’t enjoyed playing like I have here in a while. This is a different atmosphere that I really enjoy and the coaches are great to everyone. So, I can’t say one thing negative about this place — it’s great.”
As for playing time, the junior will be able to compete this year and her senior year before her eligibility is complete.
“We need her to do well in the circle and be a major contributor offensively,” Thomas said.
“We definitely have been talking a lot about winning the ACC,” Ward said. “I think we have the talent to do that. I think that’s kind of one thing we’re all focusing on right now.”
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A version of this article appeared in the Feb 3 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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I hope she is able to do better in the ACC and with her teamates here than she did at Tennessee. Ward is a talented athlete,and if she learns from her mistakes the sky is the limit for her. Good luck Ashton
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27-5 and 1.88 ERA not good? If she does that at VT, we will take it...There are other pitchers..Hope to see her contribute with the bat as well..yes, Good Luck Ashton!!
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Those stats were from 2 yrs ago. Her problems were of last year.
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..and last year has nothing to do with 2010...GO VTSB!!
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