I’ve been a Hokie fan my entire life so I have experienced my share of disappointments, but I will sheepishly admit that last night’s softball game really, really got under my skin. It’s not the fact that we lost, but the way we lost – just not playing good, solid softball. I think if we played North Florida 10 times, the Hokies would win 9 of them, but one of them wasn’t last night. It seemed that everything that could go wrong, went wrong.

I didn’t – nor will I - ever blast a Hokie player or coach on this message board, but my poor wife got an earful in the car. I was still ranting at dinner 4 hours later. I’m glad no one else was around.

So before we head out to Jacksonville University this morning, I needed to get my head right, so I did a bit of research which I’ll share. Here goes.

Last year, the Hokies opened the season 9-0 and were rolling along. Then we went to a Tampa event and got RUN-RULED by Texas State 17-5 and doubled down on the same day by losing to host South Florida 7-2. Hokie fans probably recall the Texas State game – the Hokies gave up 14 runs in ONE INNING on just two hits. Our pitchers walked 9 and hit 3 batters in that fateful frame, and we threw in a fielding error just to make it a complete disaster. (BTW, Texas State ended the year at 29-25, so they were not a powerhouse).

We came back the next day with two shutouts, ended up winning the ACC regular season title, and won 47 ball games.

So when I say yesterday was just one game, it really was JUST ONE GAME.

We have seen some real positives so far this season and there’s a lot more to come. You’ll just have to believe. I think Coach D'Amour is building something special here.

So look out Purdue and Jacksonville State – you got a bunch of fired up Hokies coming at you today – especially one old guy in the stands.

We may or may not get a win or two today, but you’ll get our best shot.

Let’s Go Hokies!!!