Hokies focused on ACC Tournament

Tuesday, May, 1, 2007; 11:42 PM | 0 | | Print

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With an ACC regular season championship in their rearview mirror, the Virginia Tech softball team now focuses on the road ahead and the possibility of even greater accomplishments.

Following a doubleheader sweep of the Liberty Flames yesterday afternoon in Lynchburg, the Hokies finished off a 44-14 year along with a 15-5 mark in the conference.

Tech, who earned a top seed in the ACC Tournament, will play the eighth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the opening round. The tournament begins on May 10 in Tallahassee.

Tech head coach Scot Thomas knows that records are of little value when the postseason gets underway.

"When you get into the ACC Tournament, everybody's record is 0-0," he said.

Earlier this season, in a three-game series on April 6 and 7 in Charlottesville, the Hokies outscored the Cavs 16-1 in a sweep.

Virginia has only one conference win this season, coming against Boston College.

"They've had a tough year," Thomas said. "But, they've showed that they got a little something in the tank. We can't overlook anybody. We've got to be ready for Virginia and take care of business just like we did when we went up there and got the sweep."

Pitcher Angela Tincher, who won two games against the Cavs this year, is looking to improve on her record-breaking year.

She has set a school-record for wins and strikeouts and continues to be the Hokies' main fixture inside the pitcher's circle.

However, Thomas knows that all of his pitchers, including Tincher and Heather Lowry, need to be equally effective in this final stretch of the season.

"You never know when you need someone to step up and give you some innings," he said.

On the offensive side, Tech is led in home runs by left fielder Caroline Stolle with 10. Three regular starters have batting averages over .300, including Stolle, catcher Kelsey Hoffman and designated player Callie Rhodes.

The Hokies' end-of-season results have reversed when compared to last year. At the end of the 2006 regular season, Tech lost its last three contests to Georgia Tech and Liberty. This year, the Hokies were victorious in six of their last seven outings.

Thomas believes that this momentum will be key to future success.

"Tournament time is about emotions. You just can't let anybody in your back door. That's the biggest thing we've got to try to avoid. We have to score runs early, be on top of their pitching and take care of business. If we can do that, we'll be fine. Anybody can beat anybody top-to-bottom in this league. That's why we need to keep momentum."

Following the ACC Tournament, Tech will, in all likelihood, find an entry into the NCAA Tournament.

Depending on their seeding, the Hokies may get to play the tournament's opening rounds in the friendly confines of Tech Softball Park.

The NCAA will announce its 64-team field on May 13. The NCAA Regionals begin on May 18.

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