2008 Woodie Awards
Softball blown away by Tincher, Hokies
Jeff Newman
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Sports
Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher came into her start against the Terrapin softball team Sunday afternoon as one of the hottest players in the country.
The senior Hokie had won nine straight decisions and over the past week been named the National Player of the Week by USA Softball and finished one walk shy of completing a perfect game in a 1-0 exhibition victory over the U.S. National Softball Team.
So it came as a surprise when the Terps (23-9, 1-5 ACC), who had struggled offensively the previous weekend against North Carolina and in two games against Virginia Tech (25-10, 7-2 ACC) the day before, jumped out on Tincher (17-4) early in the first inning.
Senior outfielder and leadoff hitter Jenny Belak got things started with a triple down the left field line, extending her school career record to 12. After sophomore shortstop Alex Shultz walked and stole second, freshman pitcher Kerry Hickey singled, driving in two runs. Hickey would eventually score on a Devon Williams single, giving the Terps an early 3-0 advantage.
It was a promising start against one of the ACC's better teams, but it didn't last. The Hokies responded by scoring five runs off starter Sarah Dooley (10-7) in the second inning.
"We had a few tough breaks that second inning, and we let it get to us," Dooley said.
To be exact, the Terps let Tincher get to them. After a shaky opening inning, Tincher dominated the rest of the game and at one point struck out 11 consecutive batters. She didn't give up a hit after the first inning and finished with 18 strikeouts, moving her into third place on the NCAA career list with 1,784.
"In combination with a lot of movement, she's got a lot of speed," coach Laura Watten said. "She's got a variety of pitches, and she's got great command over all of them. She's one of the absolute best in the country."
Watten said she also felt Tincher got some assistance from the man in blue.
"I felt like there was a wide strike zone for her today, and that's always tough," Watten said. "But umpires are a part of the game and you need to do what you can to beat it."
The senior Hokie had won nine straight decisions and over the past week been named the National Player of the Week by USA Softball and finished one walk shy of completing a perfect game in a 1-0 exhibition victory over the U.S. National Softball Team.
So it came as a surprise when the Terps (23-9, 1-5 ACC), who had struggled offensively the previous weekend against North Carolina and in two games against Virginia Tech (25-10, 7-2 ACC) the day before, jumped out on Tincher (17-4) early in the first inning.
Senior outfielder and leadoff hitter Jenny Belak got things started with a triple down the left field line, extending her school career record to 12. After sophomore shortstop Alex Shultz walked and stole second, freshman pitcher Kerry Hickey singled, driving in two runs. Hickey would eventually score on a Devon Williams single, giving the Terps an early 3-0 advantage.
It was a promising start against one of the ACC's better teams, but it didn't last. The Hokies responded by scoring five runs off starter Sarah Dooley (10-7) in the second inning.
"We had a few tough breaks that second inning, and we let it get to us," Dooley said.
To be exact, the Terps let Tincher get to them. After a shaky opening inning, Tincher dominated the rest of the game and at one point struck out 11 consecutive batters. She didn't give up a hit after the first inning and finished with 18 strikeouts, moving her into third place on the NCAA career list with 1,784.
"In combination with a lot of movement, she's got a lot of speed," coach Laura Watten said. "She's got a variety of pitches, and she's got great command over all of them. She's one of the absolute best in the country."
Watten said she also felt Tincher got some assistance from the man in blue.
"I felt like there was a wide strike zone for her today, and that's always tough," Watten said. "But umpires are a part of the game and you need to do what you can to beat it."
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Be the first to comment on this story