Mrs. VTChip and I, along with numerous other Hokies fans, attended the Selection Show for the Softball Team in the Bowman Room last night. It was neat to see the ladies' reactions to the various teams coming up on the board and they seemed really happy to get to play in Kentucky.

Pete commented that the practices the last two days had been crisp so hopefully, they're ready to roll. The thing that truly amazing me is the class of these young ladies. They are truly appreciative of the fans' support. Nothing but class acts.

For the occasion, I put together a little rhyme that mentioned each player and coach - all in fun. As I told them, if I didn't include a particular highlight of theirs, it was because I couldn't make it rhyme. They seemed to get a kick out of it.

Here goes. Remember if you can't say something nice... :-)

Twas the night of team selections, and all over the place,
Players and coaches waited anxiously to see who they would face.
I was with the Hokies, many others were there, too
What a year it had been - we all wanted to see it through.

By a fellow named D’Amour, these Hokies had been led
Picked 10th in the preseason, did they think we were dead???
Just "trust and believe," Pete said to the team
And together they vowed to live out the dream.

They started the season winning 9 in a row
The naysayers pointed out none were a formable foe.
Just wait and see, the Hokies said with a shout
Wins over Georgia and JMU helped quiet those who doubt.

Through the ACC schedule, they mowed down plenty
By the time it was over, ACC wins numbered twenty.
Unblemished on the road was this orange and maroon bunch,
Opposing pitchers? The Hokies just had ‘em for lunch.

School records were set in average, homers, and runs
Seems like everyone on the team got in on the fun.
The seniors on this team set the bar really high
Opposing coaches looked at the lineup, then simply sighed

Emma set the team record for runs batted in
Caitlyn the same for homers - few aided by the wind.
We’re glad Lauren came back; she would have missed all the fun
Kinsey wasn’t thrown out once, because that girl can run.

Sierra has started over 50 career games at VT,
Deservedly, she’s a champion now you see.
It broke our hearts when Olivia went down
But we sure are glad that she’ll still be around.

Maddie stepped right in for her to cover second base
When she would hit one out, we loved watching her face.
Darby hit over .400 near the top of the order
Pete is looking for more like her at the SC border.

Down on third, nothing was out of Kelsey’s reach
Freshman of the Year was this Georgia Peach.
Jayme held down the other corner, over at first
A .512 on-base percentage, because she had quite the burst.

Al transferred in from the Minnesota cold
Her .321 average fit right into the fold.
Cana helped clinch the conference title at BC
Her 3 run blast in the 3rd was a beauty to see.

Best in the league was the Hokies pitching staff
VT fans loved it, but opposing batters didn’t laugh.
Carrie and Keely took domination to another gear
Both made first team - Carrie was Pitcher of the Year

Mara and Keara were always ready in reserve
Had they been needed, no one would hit their curve.
MacKenzie kept things calm when she was behind the plate
To try to steal on her was truly tempting fate.

Grace is from Las Vegas, that city of sin
Those 7 homers of hers sure helped the Hokies win
Meredith was often our designated hitter
That shot of hers against the Hoos, ha, they’re still bitter

Stacy was often called on to carry the mail
The way she stole bases, she probably should pay bail.
Dani, Jada, and Kayleigh always did their parts, too.
Having teamwork like this is scarce and few

Then there were Pete’s staff, who sometimes gave him flack
We just glad that KK’s with us instead of with the WolfPack.
Doug worked hard developing the pitching staff – he now has it made
He winds ‘em up, sends ‘em out there, and just enjoys the dugout shade.

Matt’s a volunteer assistant – he doesn’t get paid much loot
But that didn’t stop him from coaching first the day Pete got the boot
Whitney keeps everything running smoothly – she’s totally the bomb
This should give her really good experience as she becomes a mom.

Now it’s almost time for the selections to be revealed
We simply can’t describe the emotions that we feel.
We are so very, very proud of our Hokies in this room
And we can’t wait til later this week when the bats go “boom.”

We love you all, each and every one
And we all look forward to the GREAT things to come.

GO HOKIES!