Wow. What could have been! The Hokies were rolling, expectations were growing, and the sky seemed to be the limit, when it all came to a screeching halt this week. A 21-4 record, a team that was threatening all-time VT team records for batting average and runs scored, and a pitcher that had become almost un-hittable.

While it’s natural to lament “what could have been” (and boy, have I been doing just that), I want to take a minute instead to appreciate the season that we were able to see.

A not-so-quick rewind:

The Hokies’ season opened in the Kickin’ Chicken Classic scoring 20 runs on Day 1, as they registered a 9-1 run-rule win over Iowa and a 11-2 win over Coastal Carolina. Veterans Al Velazquez and Olivia Lattin picked up where they left off last season with Al scoring 5 runs and having 5 RBIs for the day and Olivia hitting her first home run of the season. Day two saw two more wins, but this time, it was new faces making their mark, as transfer Kelsey Brown had 3 hits and freshman Ashley Whitley had 4 RBIs. The weekend ended with an extra inning loss to Iowa, but freshman Grayson Cruce hit her first career home run.

The following weekend, the Hokies served notice that they were going to be a force this season, as they went 3-2 in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Elite Invitational with wins over #18/#17 South Carolina, #14/#13 Minnesota, and #21/#23 Northwestern. Heroes were everywhere. Darby Trull smacked a key 2 run double versus USC, Kaylee Hewitt threw a gem to beat Mionnesota’s All American pitcher, and Mackenzie Lawter hit a sacrifice fly to beat Northwestern in the 8th inning of the final game.

Then it was a trip Charleston and a 5 game sweep the following weekend – Dartmouth, Amry, Bradley, NC A&T, and College of Charleston all crumbled under the Hokies bats, which scored 50 runs in 5 games. Meredith Slaw busted onto the scene with 8 RBIs over the weekend and the “bash sisters” Kelsey Bennett and Jayme Bailey each added 7. Maddie Banks had a career best 4 RBIs versus Dartmouth.

It was back to Florida the following weekend - this time to Jacksonville..The Hokies went 4-1 and it was almost the Keely Rochard show – 30 innings pitched, one run surrendered, 44 strikeouts, and 2 walks. She pitched one no hitter and came within one out of a second one.

Then, it was the opening of ACC play in the Wahoos beautiful new stadium. The Hokies broke it in right – first homeruns in Palmer Park by Jayme, (2), Grace Chavez, and Meredith and the first no hitter by Keely Rochard. Keely pitched 21 scoreless innings while striking out 28.

And finally, although we didn’t know it at the time, a season-ending trip to visit to northern Virginia to visit the two Georges - Washington and Mason. The outcome was what one might expect – the Hokies scored 21 runs while allowing just one. In typical VT fashion, 10 different Hokies scored runs and 7 had RBIs. Keely, Kelsey, and Molly Jacobson combined to completely shut down the Colonials and the Patriots.

A key series with NC State was on the horizon and then, “boom” it was gone. But what memories these ladies gave us and for that we’ll always be grateful.

Thank you, ladies, for a job well done.

Let's Go Hokies!