D! Softball is dong a series of Fall Ball reports on different team and recently recapped the Hokies.

Here's a couple of tidbits:

"With a balanced squad, the 2020 Hokies excelled on both sides of the ball behind the arm of D1Softball’s No. 1 Pitcher of the 2020, Keely Rochard. Rochard went 15-3 with a 1.52 ERA, 183 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 120 innings pitched. She led the NCAA in strikeouts, wins, and shutouts (7), including two no-hitters."

The article mentioned the depth of the pitching with Kaylee Hewitt returning (although she is working through some injuries) and freshmen Pitchers Mackenzie Osborne and Ivy Rosenberry. These were some quotes from Coach D'Amour:

“(Osborne) is a kid that comes and works every day. She listens and gets better every time she comes out to practice,” D’Amour said.

Regarding Rosenberry, coach stated "Recruiting her in high school, she was at 63-64 (mph), and we’ve got her on the gun now multiple times at 68-69 this Fall. She’s really throwing hard.”

Coach D’Amour mentioned that "all these (pitchers) are getting outs."

The story was very complementary of the Hokies hitting, pointing out that Kelsey Brown (.378 average, 18 stolen bases), Kelsey Bennett (.368, 25 RBIs), Meredith Slaw (.409, 21 RBIs), Grace Chavez (.298, 7 HRs), and Jayme Bennett (.385, 4 HRs, 21 RBIs), Mackenzie Lawter (.340), and Darby Trull (.338). all return.

It also sounds like coach is very happy with the newcomers:

*Cameron Fagan is flashing some leather at shortstop and "D’Amour argues she is one of the top 10 players in the country."

*Addy Greene is battling it out with transfer Morgan Overaitis at second base with both being "lefties who can hit for power."

*Emma Ritter, who will be competing for a spot in the outfield "has power and one of the fastest kids on our team."

The story also mentioned that assistant coach Mike Lewis has been a huge addition to the team. Lewis is a former men's fast pitch pitcher and is pitching batting practice several times a week and challenging the team with different spins and ball movement.

Exciting stuff!!!