Coach Pete has to take a really hard look at VT
Why does team collapse when we get to Regionals. Lackluster play in Baton Rouge demonstrated VT didn’t deserve to host Regional. If that is goal for VT something has to change.
** Edited by BAMAHOKIE at 5/18/2026, 8:37:24 AM
48 Replies
2mo
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
I coached Travel Ball for 8 years and don't claim to be a softball genius, however if I had a dollar for every time I mis-judged my opponent, environment or mental mood of the team and my pitchers, I'd be a wealthy man. That's why you can run rule an opponent one morning and take one on the chin from that same team that very afternoon!! Been there and done that! There are also times, that I'm making calls from my living room recliner and more times than not, my calls where not as appropriate as Coach Pete's. We all want to be right, we all want to win, but it just doesn't happen every game, every day!
CONGRATS ON A GREAT YEAR! VERY SAD TO SEE IT END! GO HOKIES!
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
T
Techdady
2mo
They want more and more of it since in Blacksburg there is so little of it to go around.
(In response to this post by 4ThirtyTwoHokies)
2mo
Instead they finished 2nd in the ACC and won 48 games. Before the season, I would have taken that result in a heartbeat.
No question the performance in Baton Rouge was disappointing, but no one is more disappointed than the players and coaches. They’ll learn from it and be better next time.
I’m thankful for the many moments of joy they gave us during the season.
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
happy and thankful. We all need to realize that staff and team are consistently good, not good every now-and-then. I personally think that the core group coming back will be really good next season. There will be some graduation slots to fill, but I trust Coach Pete and staff to get it done. They continue to help players improve, year to year. We just all need to continue to support them and continue to help elevate the program. Go Hokies!
(In response to this post by VTChip)
2mo
nowhere to pitch excellently. Jordan and Addi were also emerging stars. Ani showed remarkable improvement.
I’m leaving out a few, but my basic point is many players stepped up to make it a 48 win season, which is amazing.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
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Techdady
2mo
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2mo
Wonder if Zoe will be DP and the FR (sophomore now) will move to catcher.
(In response to this post by Techdady)
2mo
Not experience wise..but athletically. She’s faster and covers more ground and will get better and better with experience. Gaby will have to get stronger and better to match Rachel’s offensive output but I believe she will. I played 2nd base a lot growing up…and rangy elite 2nd basemen get to the balls that dropped in the triangle between 2B, 1B, RF. Some said the foul that dropped was RF…no, that’s an easier play for an elite 2B. THESE WERE NOT easy plays by any means and the one mini collision was more a product of how fast and how much ground Gaby covers than anything. She got near the play from shifted left of straight away RF.
Just observations and being real from my perspective. Hate that Rachel didn’t make that one tough play probably a natural bracing for potential collision. I think her calling that strongly and getting there quicker would’ve helped but tough play. Really believe Gaby’s speed will elevate play there IF she can minimize some of those fielding mistakes she made when there early season this year (think that was a Fr adjusting to “speed of the game”)
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2mo
If I was facing the ball, i.e., infielders with back to the ball, and had the best opportunity, I'd yell like hell. But I was a lefty, swift-footed, rangey OF. Preferred CF, BTW.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2mo
That is dying. That’s a 2B play. And yes back in the day I made catches at the foul line in mid RF from 2B and a couple foul balls at well down the RF fence line.
Did it at 1B when I played there also but was faster than the guy who played 2B when I played 1B. I did have some wheels back then (held single game high school SB record for while about 40 lbs ago 😂)
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2mo
Three pretty solid fielders with the popup perfectly placed (on an excuse me didnt mean to swing) to confound them. G2 is probably not an experienced RF but athletic.
Good middle infielders generally have a wide berth in the short OF.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2mo
(In response to this post by VTChip)
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Techdady
2mo
Championship game. If we went 50-6 we still would not of hosted. Hosting and winning are historic moments of Hokie softball history. The Athletic department is thrilled Hokie softball acquires Learfield cup points every year. The program has been elevated to a status previously unattainable and you want it to change. Top 20-25 and you want more? How about changing the location of TSP so Hokies can play 30-40 games at home like LSU Georgia Texas and others. . So what changes do you advocate so we can go 8-0 against $EC teams or how about 10-0? All while playing on their fields. So let’s use YOUR money so we can buy change like other programs do. Top tier players come at a cost. We have 2nd tier players competing against first tier players. ALL Tech sports are in this same boat. But only Hokie Softball and wrestling overcomes that and competes at the highest level Nationally EVERY YEAR. So what do you change? While we wait, I’m sure your advice will help Texas A and M ‘collapsing 2 straight years in regionals’ at their home field ‘ and also help FSU ‘collapsing’ once again. Guess they didn’t deserve to be hosting either.
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
Big batts didn’t come through consistently and our “Ace” pitcher couldn’t find the strike zone.
We certainly weren’t competitive with LSU.
Very proud of team. They had great season. They are better than they showed at Regionals.
(In response to this post by Hokie98)
2mo
Collapse or stumble are relative terms. I'd say they stumbled.
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
. . . it's the same team that lost 2 to GT and a game to Liberty a couple of weeks earlier. VT's SOS was 117, LSU's 11. LSU sent pitchers to the circle that were able to pitch to the scout. That meant keeping the ball down and jamming VT's hitters (BTW, my formula for success almost always). The pitcher's VT took to BR were simply not as good as their numbers. Carrico was obviously dealing with physical issues. Mazz was Mazz; good as long as batters helped her out but, again, LSU wasn't doing that. That left Layton who did a good job but, ultimately, wasn't enough. VT is relatively easy team to prepare for since you don't have to worry about the short game at all. All that said almost all the 'experts' saw this as a close regional with most picking LSU. Why? The surface analytics favored VT (gaudy HR numbers and good staff ERA). The problem is that these numbers are not adjusted for SOS.
** Edited by MidloHokie at 5/18/2026, 9:06:43 AM
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
But the constant 10-20 mph wind blowing in from right field. It killed almost any hard hit ball right of center. IMO our “pressing” involved us trying to do too much at the plate resulting in so many pop ups. I know Pete says “hit it hard” but we constantly rolled over or popped up instead of just putting barrel on ball to get base hits. Sometimes barrel control is better than “swing hard”. Think that showed with LSU’s half swing soft liners and bloops that caused chaos in addition to them calling out Bree’s change up. THAT part bothered me the most. Brittany McKinney made such a great observation about Torina coaching 3rd and doing that. It was pretty obvious which team’s staff had the scout down pat and which didn’t. We faced an equally talented possibly more talented roster that was better prepped and coached IN game. Hard to type that because Pete has been tremendous getting us to the level we are…but it was pretty obvious to me which team’s staff had the better read on their opponent
Sometimes you’re just outperformed by the other team on a weekend/day. We were both outplayed and outcoached this weekend
** Edited by hokiepro at 5/18/2026, 11:54:10 AM
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
VT coaches need to start Coaching and use the nice practice facility. No excuses
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
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Techdady
2mo
Enough ‘success’ from one sport (Softball) since there is so little athletic success to go around in Blacksburg. So how many all Americans has this coaching staff developed? Hint: NONE of them were recruited or offered by any team that was not a mid major. But in your words ‘coaches need to start coaching’ brilliant observation!!!
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
2mo
I’m not convinced they’re up to par with game prep and scout when it comes to elite teams. They challenge their players to get better. It’s ok if they challenge themselves to do a better job of scouting and game prep. Players need to execute too yes…but this team just didn’t look like it had as good of a plan like LSU did
(In response to this post by Techdady)
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Techdady
2mo
See Tennessee pitcher Pickens with her 7 loses. I thought UVA had a chance against her, as her and Canady can lose concentration and get ‘lazy’ in the circle just like everyone else. On any given day………..
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2mo
Softball before Tincher , Football in the late 50's. Basketball when you could pick your seat. Women's Basketball before Bonnie. List goes on..No Excuses . By the Way I played lot sports, had a Grand Daughter that was one of the Best Softball Player out of NC. Could share more, But I don't need a "dady" telling about me about sports. I Take My Maroon & Orange glasses off. I could say more but "daddys" usually don't hear well if it has some Truth To it.. Next Year Be Better..Yet To See..
** Edited by JRHokie at 5/18/2026, 12:01:08 PM
(In response to this post by Techdady)
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Techdady
2mo
Start coaching makes little sense to me. But, maybe it does to you. So once again I ask how many All Americans has the Hokie Softball staff developed? I’ll help… I’m guessing 8 All American seasons, and what Hokie sport has come close to that of in such a short period of time ( 8 years). I’ll help again …NONE And all of a sudden they need to start coaching ? Your words….Since you’ve been around 55 years of Hokie Sports, you should know what coaches have done a better job here in Blacksburg in such a short period of time? Besides Beamer who else has coached more All Americans at VA Tech l than the Softball Coaches?
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
2mo
Last 4 years, VT is 0-7 against the regional host. All of your comments are spot on. If you look at those years:
2023: VT was in a late year downward trend and really was no match at Georgia.
2024: Got sent to UCLA and had a 1 run lead going to bottom of 7th, lost and lost next game.
2025 and 2026: Quality of these two VT teams pretty even but were unable to put up enough runs to win in the regional (scored 3 and 2 runs against Alabama and 0 and 2 runs against LSU). Got a little better pitching in 2025 than 2026.
There's is always places for improvement but need a better SOS so you don't have to win every game at the end of the year to host. Look at Duke, very good team (arguably no better than VT) but had a very good SOS and got to host Arizona (who was slipping at the end of year). IMHO, big difference between hosting Arizona as the 12 seed and traveling to LSU as the ~17 seed.
** Edited by hokietony at 5/18/2026, 9:35:30 AM
** Edited by hokietony at 5/18/2026, 9:36:14 AM
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
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Techdady
2mo
Only obtained with money and luck. You have to fill your schedule with hopefully 56 games. NO RANKED TIER ONE teams, other than an occasional ACC opponent, are coming to TSP, so the Hokies have to travel to hostile fields to play the teams that WILL help our SOS. So let’s fly to Texas for two games. Let’s fly to Nebraska for two games, let’s fly to Arkansas for two games. How about going to Garmin or Nutter? We’re out a few hundred grand or more there with no promise of a single victory. Then let’s bus to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia,USC and anywhere else to pick up a game or two against some team ‘better’ than us. Still coming up short and that’s if we have a winning record against them. Hokie softballl SOS is dragged down not only by the ACC bottom feeders but also by weak instate ‘rivals’ and surrounding state weak teams. No team north of us is better so can’t go north. Can’t go east nobody there. Pretty much a victim of geography. There is no margin for error like $EC teams have. Alabama can lose to Samford (RPI around 130) not a problem. Hokies lose to Mich state. Liberty….big problem. You can’t make the loss up by playing OK or Texas the following week , you have to play Clemson or UVA instead and those wins don’t help . The SOS ‘riddle’ will always be nearly unsolvable. Unless you go something like 50-6 . Even then, still on the ‘bubble’ . FWIW I like the ‘pattern’ of being in the regional Champ game, I like the pattern of being ranked EVERY year, I like the pattern of 40 plus wins, I like the pattern of having an exciting team to root for. That pattern comes together EVERY year, all accomplished, I assume, without a single player we field that is coveted by ‘upper echelon’ teams. Could Hokie football and basketball study our player development and success formula and possibly learn from that ? I guess anything is possible….
(In response to this post by hokietony)
2mo
It's a five figure, not six figure trip. Expensive, but could replace two shorter trips if you stay out there ten days. Have to either go west or to Clearwater. Duke did both this year and will still be playing this weekend. I firmly believe we have at least as much talent as Duke on our roster.
** Edited by MidloHokie at 5/18/2026, 11:09:35 AM
(In response to this post by Techdady)
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Techdady
2mo
Reportedly 50k four years ago, same price or more to go west. A lot of our kids, I gather have never been west, riding the tram in Palm Springs is breathtaking. It would be a good experience for sure. If I was in charge of the Softball budget and could afford it I’d play out west at least once. And considering the fact Hokie Softball starts seasons so strong there’s a good chance of success there.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
. . . played in Cali both years. Of course half the team was from there and that was the only flight of the year. Also played in Palm Springs as a player. That's a great trip in February. Wonderful break from the east coast winter and the 'Field of Dreams' there (Cathedral City) is a one-of-a-kind venue.
(In response to this post by Techdady)
2mo
(In response to this post by Techdady)
2mo
A short game comprised of speedy players bunting, slapping, moving runners over, etc. puts so much additional pressure on the defense. That could be an additional wrinkle you could throw at opposing teams. It’s not a stand-alone approach, but it can kick-start a stagnant offense. As a team, we really could not consistently sac bunt players over to the next base when we tried to. And it’s not just VT. IMO players in general have lost the ability to bunt.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
Nora, Bree, Avery (although she was great), Addy Foster, Gaby all in their first regionals in one of the top 5 toughest college softball environments.
Jordan was a FR last year playing carefree and played great vs great pitching at Bama…this time she’s the center of attention as a sophomore star and seemed to carry that weight heavily & pressed.
Zoe is good but not necessarily vs elite pitching
Rachel, Kylie and Annika were probably our best offensive players (most experience). Michelle was ok, not great but not bad.
(In response to this post by BAMAHOKIE)
2mo
pitcher's, better hitters. Some stage fright/nerves, not being able to play as loose as used to. And oddly timed batting slump fir several players.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2mo
. . . pitchers who were able to pitch to weaknesses identified by the analytics. Even the kid from Akron was able to do that pretty effectively.
(In response to this post by HokieAvalanche)
2mo
It was a slump. They’re better than that. Way better
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
When I say "resources" I am not just talking about the tools themselves, but also the mindset needed by the coaches and/or players while reviewing the analytics.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
you're really asking for is players who don't have any exploitable weaknesses.
That happens with recruiting and development.
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
include development in with the mindset portion of my question. Since recruiting is what it is, I am assuming the coaches are developing the players to try to exploit an opponent's weakness and to minimize their own weaknesses. Even though their current approach has worked so far, it may be fair to ask if they have reached the ceiling for the current approach. The Akron game raised the question for me. If the coaches have hit the ceiling or at least flirting with the ceiling, then now may a good time to make tweaks to the process including the mindset how the coaches approach or players approach the process.
For the record, I firmly believe that even a player, who appears to have no exploitable weaknesses, will still have exploitable weakness. You just may have to look a little closer or dig a little deeper to find them. Once you do find it/them, then it becomes a question of having the player(s) to consistently exploit it/them.
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)
2mo
a Fr. Those players are NOWHERE near their ceiling. So your presumption is false right off the bat.
I answered the question you asked. Softball is a heavy user of analytics in development and game planning. There are no simple efficiencies to be gained like you are proposing.
Like so many fans, "if you simply did the easy thing I'm proposing then everything would be better" is so ignorant, especially in this case. "Just find the exploitable weakness" is another false premise. "Just take advantage of another player's exploitable weakness" yet another.
They are attempting to do all those things within the limits of the player talent that they have. So the answer, despite your 4th false premise "Since recruiting is what it is" is to recruit players with less weaknesses and more strengths right off the bat. That's how everyone succeeds at this level. Not by finding some simple efficiency to exploit that no one else is.
(In response to this post by VTHokie2000)
2mo
not already doing those things. You just overlooked or ignored the part where I mentioned where they may have hit a ceiling with how the approaching things now. There is always room for improvement even when things appear to be efficient. Most of the great coaches are always making some sort of adjustment, even a minor one, here and there as a way to help them stay 1 step ahead of the field. I'm sure when the coaches take the time during the offseason to look back on the regionals, they will take away some sort of lessons learned. Those lessons may influence them to make changes during the offseason or they could file it away in the back of the mind to use at later date. Given the importance analytics plays in the game, the experience may have given Coach Pete evidence of how much other programs are investing in their support staff to assist with the analytics. If there is room for VT to do more in that department, then that is a conversation between Coach Pete and the new AD.
The reason I made the statement I did about recruiting is because look at the states the more talented recruits come from. If you close enough, then you should realize the bulk tend to come from CA, TX, and the heart of SEC Country (aka the Gulf Coast States). How likely is VT going to start recruiting more players from that foot print vs. sticking with the existing foot print, which has worked so far, and make the most of the hand itis dealt?
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)