Ace leads Va. Tech to its first Women's College World Series in softball

By Mark Berman

The Roanoke Times

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Before, during and after Sunday's doubleheader, the Michigan alumni band kept playing "Hail to the Victors."

"Hail to the Visitors" would have been more fitting.

The nation's best college softball pitcher finally has reached her sport's biggest stage. Angela Tincher threw a pair of three-hit complete games to help Virginia Tech beat host Michigan twice for the program's first berth in the Women's College World Series.

"It's incredible," said Tincher, a senior who improved to 38-8. "That's been something I've wanted to do since I was little and watched it on TV: make it in the College World Series."

After losing to Michigan 1-0 on

Saturday in the opener of this NCAA super regional series, the Hokies bounced back to win Sunday's games 1-0 and 6-1.

The Hokies (49-17) will return to Oklahoma City, the site of one of their most memorable victories. The World Series will be held at the same ballpark where Tech stunned the U.S. national team 1-0 in March. Tech will face Texas A&M on Thursday at a time to be announced. The game will be telecast by ESPN.

Tincher struck out 15 and walked two in the first game. In the second game, she struck out seven and walked none. The only run she allowed was a solo homer in the fifth inning of the final game - when Tech was already leading 6-0.

"She was outstanding all weekend," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said.

After throwing 107 pitches Saturday, Tincher threw 198 Sunday.

"We were so excited that I think the last thing I wanted to do today was feel tired," she said. "I felt a little rusty yesterday and today I felt a lot better."