VT_AD

Think about MV7, Bruce, Kitley, Tincher, Mekhi Lewis, it goes on and on. I don't think we keep those athletes once we find them in today's game. I agree and have said it before - the divide continues to grow between the have and have nots. When you really think about it it can really depress you about the likelihood of VT ever competing for Natty's in any sport.

** Edited by VT_AD at 2/17/2026, 3:48:22 PM

Over 1100 innings. We'd win a lot of games if the other team scored less than one earned run a game!!! This was the era of when you just stuck a pitcher out there and said pitch 'em all! If you gave her a rest then oh my!

The excitement when your kid gets to fulfill that dream of college ball is awesome! Just remember it's a long year and a lot can change. Enjoy it and be happy for both the ups and downs - it'll all be over too soon. Good luck to your daughter and best of health!

but they went 48-14 (19-5) last year and won the ACC. Then made it to the Super Regional where they gave the eventual National Champs, Texas, all they could handle. They've done surprisingly well without Cagle. I do see what you're saying though that their pitching is an unknown but they seem to be able to reload in that area even if it's pitch by committee. That one utility player on the preseason all conference team also pitches.

having 2 players in the top 66 and 3 Freshmen to watch. I guess they are propping up the team ranking based on that.

This continues to escalate every year and even with our renewed emphasis on football I just don't see how non-big-money programs can continue to swim upstream. At some point, there's going to be such a divide money-wise they are going to have to break up the haves and have-nots.

Giving each girl on the team 100% scholarship plus the stipend that comes along with that is a really good deal. Just missed out on that with my kid! This may level the field in some instances as right now a lot of schools load up on their pitchers at 100% and divvy up the rest. Now everyone will be giving everyone 100% so there's no advantage - at least until NIL becomes more pronounced in softball which will be sooner than later (see Canaday).

When my daughter batted against her for the first time during Cagle's Player of the Year year. She said she wasn't sure if she even saw the first 2 pitches she threw! LOL! Of course she faced Pickens from UT last year and that was even worse!

While FSU has done well since Sandercock left (2023) they were best when she was there getting the majority of innings.

Not sure you're gonna pry any money out of her though! She's tight on the wallet! ** Edited by VT_AD at 12/16/2025, 10:57:13 AM

I like that Coach Pete tells it like he sees it. He really sets the bar high for these girls and doesn't just give the general, so-and-so looks good but . . . He really just goes and says things like, "she has looked as good as anyone he can remember," which is quite a compliment for a freshman or “Emma Mazzarone is going to hit this year - she is swinging as good as any hitter we have.” I really like the honesty and confidence The way this team seems to re-load is impressive as he keeps that standard high with pitching and hitting - it's the hallmark of an elite level program. They need to break through the regionals this year and finally show they belong with the super elite.

Of course her coaching now means I am helping! ** Edited by VT_AD at 12/14/2025, 11:32:20 AM

and coaches alike to establish mutual interest.

it's going to need a few more $$ to get them close to P4 schools but a nice start. ** Edited by VT_AD at 12/4/2025, 1:27:56 PM

It used to really hurt when we lost VA kids to somewhere else but over the past 10-15 years I've been so used to it I guess it stopped registering how many VA kids we were hemorrhaging. Great to see it turn around so quickly. On a separate note, does anyone know if Franklin or staff has had an opportunity to visit the key high schools yet? I know he's been very busy but was just curious if he'd been out and about.

With Whit on the outs seemingly and not on the search committee who actually introduces the new coach? Sands, BOV, search committee,?? Just curious.

You can't credit AI directly. If she was truly writing about sports for 7 years she, at a minimum, should know the teams they are scrimmaging are not good and never have been. The way it's written makes it seem like they are going to be a real challenge when clearly they are not - even to a casual softball fan.

which travel team my daughter should play on back when she was just starting in recruiting age (7th/8th grade back then). He told us she should play with the team that has the most players going to the school she wants to go to. This made good sense - at the time my daughter wanted to go to Tech. Looking at teams in the region it was clear that Starz Gold and Coach Bunn had a pretty good reputation and they had 8, yes 8, players committed to VT out of the 17 D1 players on the team! So she joined that team. Ironically she ended up at UVa. So, yes, Starz has a really good rep with all of the coaches in the state in particular which includes the best 2 players currently on UVa in Jade Hylton and Eden Bigham. While they provide a lot of VT players it was nothing like it used to be!! That team included Cana Davis, Jordan Dail, Sammi Miller, Keely Rochard, Darby Trull, Casey Barrett, Mack Lawter, and Madison Rountree. That was quite a team plus the other 9 D1 players.

Virginia Tech makes it in as honorable mention - so in his top 8. Only ACC team of course. Not a great article but we're mentioned. On a separate note, why would we not be interested in hiring him as a coach? Too much baggage? Dude wins in college.

Good luck in the SEC! She's gonna do great! Going out her senior year with a bang!

I feel like they normally play a few more, I may be wrong though. It is interesting that they are playing two D1 programs this year which is not normal. Wonder if he realized that it's not really that beneficial for them to play those D3 schools. ** Edited by VT_AD at 9/9/2025, 2:00:42 PM

So it's a popularity contest. The Shamrocks travel team is not a national-type travel team - looks like she plays for her dad's team. Not saying she's not a good player, just don't get too high on that award. ** Edited by VT_AD at 7/31/2025, 1:03:01 PM

you can tell that their location feels more intentional and there's a plan. Their command is greater. I know my kid who was lightly recruited D1 as a pitcher said she throws in a general area. Not these girls! Did anyone ever see the video of Montana Fouts from Alabama pitching with cinder blocks in the middle of the plate (video linked)? That's what these girls can do.

Just an article that highlights what we all know - mo' money, mo' wins. This does not include NIL. What is the VT or other ACC budget for softball - anyone? I'm guessing we are around 20% of OU's budget.

and she told a great story about how their players earn their walk-up songs through their grades. She said, at the time, not a lot of the girls have walk-up songs, but she didn't give a s#&* because they can hit that $%^#$!@ ball!!!