VTChip

Per this tweet from Jon Rothstein

"Looking ahead to 2027, Ng confirmed that the league will stay at six teams, though further expansion remains “on the horizon.” She also expects the teams to stay in their same markets for the “long term.” "One possible change is the addition of more games to the schedule, which Ng said is “on the table.” The AUSL played 25 regular-season games in 2026. “We want to make sure that the foundation of this league is extraordinarily solid, stable and is set for tremendous growth in the future,” Ng said. “Having said that, we definitely want to just make sure that we keep this momentum going and keep our legs sturdy beneath us.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One issue that might be behind that decision is the implementation of the NCAA 5-for-5 rule. There may not be the influx of new players like there was this past year.

Good business decision, IMHO. They have a great product that has lots of momentum so strike while the iron is hot. I was hoping their basketball would get some legs to create an alternative to the WNBA but that isn't happening in the short term and perhaps never.

Priceless.

Cori was 2 for 4 with a single, a home run, a walk, and a stolen base. She scored one run and had three runs batted in. She’s back, baby!

"Now, one lingering question is how does this apply to players who've already signed professional deals? Some former Cats who could gain a fifth season include basketball guard Otega Oweh and volleyball outside hitter Eva Hudson. However, both of them have signed pro contracts. Oweh recently signed a two-way deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Hudson signed with LOVB (League One Volleyball) Atlanta back in December. "August Madness is arriving, folks. Buckle up" ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ For Hokies softball, Kylie Aldridge would be the one player that would fall into this category. Thankfully, she is already planning to be a Graduate Assistant so she will be on the VT campus already, IF there are exceptions made for the Professional players. What a crazy world.

"Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado has granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this spring, according to documents obtained by On3’s Pete Nakos. Boise State associate professor Sam Ehrlich first reported the news." Stand by for total chaos. No clarity for those that have signed professional contracts because they were told they were out of eligibility.

and knocked one of the outfield signs off the wall. You go girl!

Classes begin on August 24th. Coach Pete likes to give the team (especially the freshmen) a week to get acclimated to college life and then start practice the following week. Not sure on the Petecast.

Per the Diamonds' Twitter. That's three bombs in her last four games! Go, Kylie!

He certainly deserves it after seven straight NCAA bids. Background from Berman's story, "(D'Amour) was given a five-year deal when he was hired in June 2018. When that deal ended, he was given a six-year extension that was set to end after the 2029 season. Congratulations to Coach D'Amour.

Personally, I like the term "super seniors," but no one asked me. From Pete Thamel: ** Edited by VTChip at 7/28/2026, 11:24:02 PM

Last week, HokieSports asked for questions for Brian and (shocker) I asked about softball and TSP. No commitment but encouraging comments such as these: He was impressed with Pete and he “needs to get with him and see what he can do.” He knows Pete “is an elite coach and that we have a big time program” and he “wants to do everything he can to improve it.” Positive first steps.

I expect her to do great things at ETSU. As for VT, we'll still have Nora in left, Addy Foster in center, and potentially a new face in right if Gaby moves to second. Lots of possibilities including Lyla Blackwell. who has appeared in 113 games in her career.

That will be 30 minutes from home for her family. Wishing her all the best!

Chloe Wools from Leesburg, VA (Tuscarora High School) has been selected to play in the PGF Futures All-American game tonight at 6:00 in Irvine, California. The game will be shown on ESPN+. Chloe usually plays the outfield and will be wearing #22 tonight. Chloe, the Virginia Player of the Year, was ranked #6 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100 and #10 in the country by Extra Innings Softball who describes her as "a powerful athletic outfielder who is considered one of the best lefty power hitters in her age group." Go get 'em, Chloe!

"There's nothing like Virginia Tech." I am so glad she became a Hokie and am even more pleased that she will be in the dugout as a graduate assistant this year.

Sounds like none of those folks would have been surprised! A sample from the Fayetteville Observer: At her signing ceremony, after a 7½-minute video — which chronicled Aldridge’s softball track from her youth and travel teams to her time with the Bears — several of the people in Aldridge’s life offered their congratulations. Kelly Melvin, the volleyball coach at Cape Fear High School and Aldridge’s travel volleyball coach, said Aldridge’s “emotions, brain and IQ, and heart” separate her from other athletes. Melvin went on to describe Aldridge’s sportsmanship and her ability to connect with every player — no matter their skill level — that steps on the same field or court. “Her heart is golden,” Melvin said as she fought back tears. “When I talk about her, even as a coach from another school, I can’t put anyone above her. … People are saying these things because it’s who you are.” Jalesty Washington, Gray’s Creek’s volleyball coach, said her daughter admires Aldridge. “I would always want her to be like Kylie,” Washington added. Troy Lindsey, Gray’s Creek’s athletics director and a Virginia Tech graduate, said “the Hokies have gotten themselves a diamond.” Sometimes there are just people that are shining stars,” he continued. “Kylie is one of them.” The reigning Greater Fayetteville Sports Female Athlete of the Year, Aldridge led the Bears to a regular-season title and the program’s first-ever trip to the Final Four in her junior season. The catcher led Cumberland County with a staggering .700 batting average. Gray’s Creek softball coach Stuart Gilmer described Aldridge as “consistent, dependable” and capable of performing in the toughest of situations. He also praised Aldridge for her ability to keep attention on the team and her teammates rather than herself. “It just shows what type of character Kylie has. She has great character and always wants to make sure the team’s successful before she’s successful,” Gilmer said. “In turn, that helps her be successful. When you put your teammates first and your team first, your achievements and accolades will follow.” He has no doubts Aldridge will be able to maintain that high level of play and high level of character at the next level. “Whatever Kylie does, she’s gonna be good at it,” Gilmer added. “She’s gonna put in the work to make sure she’s the best at what she does. Her softball career at Virginia Tech, I can’t wait to hear big things about her. Later in life, she’s gonna do big things.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looks like all those coaches nailed!!!!!!

Twelve years ago, yesterday, the Aldridge family traveled to Florida to see a game between the Racers and the Pride - two professional softball teams. There is a picture below of Kylie and her sister Payton getting autographs and speaking with the professional players. Now, tonight, Kylie is the one giving autographs as the professional softball player. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! A full circle moment, indeed.

From the linked story from the Palatka Daily News: Headline: "On second thought" Well, retirement didn’t last long. Over two months after officially stepping down as the St. Johns River State College softball coach and saying he needed a break and was exhausted, Joe Pound found himself an employed softball coach again, this time on the NCAA Division I level. Pound was officially named the new head softball coach at Radford University in Virginia on Friday, ending that short break from coaching and taking a softball coaching job that even he was surprised that came upon him. “Obviously, I had a little time off. It was just something that came about,” Pound said. While most of the country was spending time enjoying the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, Pound answered a phone call he was least expecting to get. It was from longtime Radford athletic director Robert Lineburg, who was given Pound’s name, according to the coach, by Gulf Coast State College softball mentor Scot Thomas. “(Lineburg) asked if I was interested in the opportunity (to coach Radford),” Pound said. “I said, ‘Yes.’ I flew up to Radford on July 5, then went and met with him the next day. I came back and we had a few more conversations and we worked it out.” After a third straight trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series in May, Pound tendered his resignation to St. Johns River athletic director Ross Jones. Easily the most successful coach in the program’s long fastpitch history, Pound, the coach of the Vikings’ first-ever national championship in 2024 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, said he was willing to take time off from coaching, though he said other offers did come and go in the time after resigning. “Really, this is a new opportunity … a different challenge, a different level, a new location,” Pound said. “I enjoy challenges. This was something that wasn’t planned when I left St. Johns, but I feel it’s a good opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.” Pound, a 1992 Crescent City High School graduate and star player in football and baseball, the latter sport he played at the University of North Florida, and who said has never left the state of Florida for any coaching position or job for that matter, heads to Radford, located 30 minutes from Virginia Tech University, with a career 196-125 mark in five years in charge, including three straight Sun-Lakes Conference, two straight Region 8 tournament crowns and three straight Division II South Region titles. The Vikings were 155-50 in the last three years and 76-12 in conference play during that time. Recently, SJR State hired Lee Kuyrkendall as its new softball coach. Pound said he is putting a coaching staff together but said it would not include his assistant the last two years, Callie Jones, who has moved back to coach at her alma mater, Jacksonville Episcopal School. Pound replaces another Florida-based coach with success, Kevin ***an. ***an, a former NFL linebacker who coached at Dunnellon High School and Central Florida College to softball titles, finished out a two-year run as Radford’s coach before moving on to Liberty University, where he will coach next season. Radford finished 24-27 this past season. Though he did not make it official, Pound said some of his Vikings players might be transferring to Radford for next season, but nothing, he said, was official. “I’m not a cold-weather fan, so my biggest adjustment is going to be a wardrobe,” joked Pound, who signed a three-year contract to coach the Highlanders, who play in the Big South Conference. “But they have a very nice facility and have put money into it. It’s an all-turf field they just put in and they have a big hitting facility with four cages. I looked at the field, and it’s lined and ready to go right now. “This is the right opportunity and I accept the challenge,” he added.

"Pound, 52, spent the past five seasons as the coach of St. Johns River State (Junior) College in Florida. He stepped down from that job two months ago, telling the Palatka Daily Times at the time that "It's time for someone younger to take over. It is a very difficult grind with coaching and recruiting all year. I put a whole lot into it and I can’t give 100% right now." Pound succeeds Kevin ***an, who stepped down last month to become the associate head coach at Liberty University. "This was something that wasn’t planned when I left St. Johns, but I feel it’s a good opportunity," Pound told the Palatka Daily Times on Friday.

Cori is hitting .388 with 8 home runs. She is leading the league in walks (19) and stolen bases (16) and is second in hits (38). Kylie is hitting .382 with 5 home runs and is 5th in hits (34).

From the Radford Press Release: "Pound is coming off the heels of an impressive five-year run at St. Johns River State College where he took a program that previously had just one winning season to achieving a national championship and three College World Series appearances. It took just three seasons for Pound to rebuild the program, winning the NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship in 2024 where the team finished with a 55-15 record and saw four players named All-Americans." Interestingly, he resigned from St. Johns River State at the end of May. At that time, St. John's Athletic Director commented that Pound "built the program from the ground up," and went on to say that “Joe Pound elevated the program’s status on and off the field. He brought home the first national championship in college history. That will never be forgotten.” D1 Softball noted that "In his five-year tenure at the helm of the Vikings’ program, Pound recorded a 196-125 overall record with a 93-31 conference showing. He led the program to three consecutive NJCAA D2 World Series appearances, including the national title in 2024." Good luck to him at Radford (except when they play the Hokies). ** Edited by VTChip at 7/24/2026, 3:15:14 PM

Great job, young lady.

I still think no call is the right call

One run scored (so far) Kylie was 1 for 5. Bre went one for one with a single against the China National team. ** Edited by VTChip at 7/23/2026, 10:59:22 PM

The fielder never had to adjust her stance.

Absolutely no contact was made.

California had a 2-1 lead, Nevada loaded the bases with two outs, then the batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop. The runner runs in front of the shortstop, BUT did not interfere, IMHO. Shortstop air mails the throw over first and two runs score for Nevada. BUT umpire calls interference on the play and California gets the win. Apparently, the call can't be reviewed by replay. Horrible way to end a game a prevent Nevada from going to the World Series. ** Edited by VTChip at 7/23/2026, 7:15:14 PM

Link below

She’s still having a great year, Batting average: .374 On Base pct: .468 Slugging pct: .670 Home runs: 8 RBIs: 20, 7th in the league Hits: 34, which is 4th in the league Stolen Bases: 16, which leads the league Walks: 17, which leads the league ** Edited by VTChip at 7/22/2026, 9:54:39 AM

Feel the love Kylie #33 Bre #88 Cori #2

Kylie was one of six Virginia Tech student athletes "recognized for their academic excellence and impact within their respective sports. The VaSID Academic All-State Team honors student-athletes from across the Commonwealth who have excelled both in competition and in the classroom." Congratulations, Kylie

She has done it before but it's still worth posting because she dos an awesome job!!!! Hokie Nation is proud of you, young lady! Video courtesy of her dad.

Grace threw two scoreless innings with 2 Ks, no walks, and allowed two singles. Ryleigh was 1 for 2 with a blistering line drive up the middle. And that was against some of the best high school players in the country! Nice job, ladies. Can’t wait to see you in Blacksburg this fall.

A 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. ** Edited by VTChip at 7/19/2026, 6:39:14 PM

Future Hokies Grace Swedarsky (P) and Ryleigh Perks (SS) in action.

Measured at 73 mph off the bat. It barely nicked her glove so that had to hurt, but she stayed in the game. Much respect.