WARNING: I do often wear orange and maroon glasses, BUT...

Last year's team finished 22-30 overall and 7-16 in the conference. IMHO, this year's team will blow both of those marks away.

Currently, the team is hitting .389 after 14 games. That number will go down, but this nevertheless, I believe this year's edition is a much better hitting team. They have also struck out just 26 times in 401 at bats - that's once in 15 at bats, which I think is partially due to the indoor facility. The have also stolen 30 bases (in 33 attempts), a good way to manufacture runs when the hits aren't necessarily falling.

Except for Friday's blip, the pitching has been outstanding. Most expected Carrie Eberle to be good, but Keeley Rochard has been amazing (0.78 ERA and 66 Ks in 44 innings). Having a second arm should be invaluable. BTW, Eberle has a 1.83 ERA and 29 Ks in 42 innings. Coach D'Amour has repeated sang the praises of Doug Gillis as a pitching coach and early returns certainly seem to back up those accolades.

It is certainly early and the competition has been mediocre overall, but I am very, very encouraged. Next weekend versus Georgia will be very interesting. The Bulldogs are ranked either #8/#9 with a 14-1 record.

However, before that, we need some payback on Wednesday to the Radford Highlanders, who beat the Hokies TWICE last season. I don't see a repeat in our future and hope the ladies back me up.

Should be a fun ride.

Let's Go Hokies.