Eighteen years ago today, Miracle on Dirt happened
On March 26, 2008, Virginia Tech softball defeated Team USA 1-0 in Oklahoma City behind Angels Tincher's no hitter. That snapped Team USA's 185-game winning streak.
Link:
ESPN Story
55 Replies
2
2hhoop3
4mo
revisiting this story. I had the great fortune to witness her entire career at VT and a substantial portion of that career was watched from behind the backstop at ground level under the bleachers. It was, in my opinion, one of the best views in sports. AT worked the entire box up and down, side to side with great spin and control. It was a sight to behold made even more astounding by her size as compared to the other big names of Osterman, Abbott and Finch. The numbers and stats she accumulated at VT are mindboggling and made even moreso because her other peers benefitted from better offensive support, in my opinion. Her name is all over the VT and NCAA college softball record books. Given the changes that the game has undergone the numbers she, Osterman and Abbott put up are not likely to be approached. Thanks for the memories AT!!
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
I've said it before - AT was better at what she did in her sport than any other VT athlete was at their sport! EVER!
That's my opinion - I could be wrong but I will never be convinced otherwise. :-)
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
Over Team USA, I wasn’t even that surprised. She was that good.
During regular season games I’d always check the box score to see how many Ks she collected. It sounds crazy to say this but I’d consider a “standard” outing for Angela to be around 14 Ks. Anything less than that would be a little disappointing (she was rarely below 8 or 9 if memory serves). She certainly spoiled us! 😆
** Edited by RVAHokie05 at 3/27/2026, 9:03:46 AM
(In response to this post by laphroaig)
E
EDGEMAN
4mo
She showed them the folly in that decision...lol
AT belongs on the "Mount Rushmore of VT athletics."
(In response to this post by laphroaig)
2
2hhoop3
4mo
was far different back then and AT just got caught in a numbers/politics game. That game was her statement and what a statement it turned out to be. There was no way that team was not going to have Osterman, Abbott and Finch barring an injury or crimes of moral turpitude. People that follow softball know the story and whether or not they believed it starting out that game was not your garden variety exhibition. To Team USA's credit they acted very professionally in a monumental loss situation.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
4mo
. . Pitchers they had but she was certainly on the same level.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
4mo
(In response to this post by laphroaig)
4mo
She won the Bowerman, which is track's version of the Heisman.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
4mo
. . . one of the 10 best pitchers in the history of the game. If AT was at VT today we would be the favorite in OKC.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
H
Hokie-2x
4mo
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
4mo
talking.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
4mo
Link:
link
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
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Guru Meditation:
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(In response to this post by Chesapeake_Hokie)
4mo
link is valid. maybe close, reopen your browser, delete your cashe, stuff like that
(In response to this post by nvpbrown)
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2hhoop3
4mo
capturing AT's impact. I got to ask Will, did you ever get over to see her in person?
(In response to this post by Chesapeake_Hokie)
4mo
One of my biggest regrets.
We were based in Radford at the time, and I had three small children (our kids were all born between 1999 and 2002), so there wasn't much time, and I was usually exhausted by the time spring football was over.
Sometimes you just don't appreciate greatness while it's right there in front of you.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
4mo
NCAA softball. Easy to get to the park and watch for 2 hrs (max usually) and it’s great fun and fast paced. Certainly you’ve seen Keely & Emma & Pete’s teams live? They’re a FUN watch an live is WAY better than TV for fast pitch softball
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
4mo
It was the year we beat UT at the Knoxville super regional. We had a team of 9-10 YO all stars from SW Virginia watching them the day before the clinching day. Got to meet the whole team in person after the game and they signed softballs and gave autographs to our girls. The whole team could not have been nicer, including AT.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
2
2hhoop3
4mo
you did a great job capturing her impact WITHOUT even seeing her! Kudos to you! I would have loved to read the article you might have written had you spent a game behind the backstop under the bleachers. ;-)
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
4mo
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
4mo
to be donated to the softball auction.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
Of our neighborhood a couple years ago to the Riner area where they converted a barn into a pitching/training facility
She is a coach as part of the “Tincher Pitching” training school. See link. You may be able to contact her that way
Link:
Tincher pitching
(In response to this post by laphroaig)
4mo
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
4mo
Thanks!
(In response to this post by VT_AD)
4mo
I've watched this many times. It was done by VT Athletic Department.
Edit. Changed Ice to Dirt.
** Edited by Atlee Hokie at 3/27/2026, 8:52:30 AM
Link:
Miracle on Dirt
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
Team USA graciously agreed to pose for a picture with the Hokies with the scoreboard in the background.
It's from the Hokievision special Miracle on Dirt.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
. . . talent in one place at one time.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
4mo
. . Monetizing her fame.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
4mo
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
H
Hokie-2x
4mo
Thought I was just another pretty face.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
4mo
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
H
Hokie-2x
4mo
(In response to this post by laphroaig)
4mo
This post by VTChip removed by Tech Sideline admin
