2007 ACC Softball Championship: Virginia Tech Captured Program's First ACC Softball Tournament Title
Winning pitcher Angela Tincher earns MVP honors.
Angela Tincher won MVP after three throwing consecutive shut-out games for Virginia Tech.

Angela Tincher won MVP after three throwing consecutive shut-out games for Virginia Tech.

May 13, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A two-run home run in the second inning by Kelsy Rokey was all the offense ACC Tournament MVP Angela Tincher would need as 15th-ranked and top seeded Virginia Tech defeated No. 17 Georgia Tech 2-0 to claim the 2007 ACC Softball Championship - the first softball title for the Hokies since they joined the league three years ago.

With the win, Virginia Tech moves to 48-14 on the season, while the loss runs Georgia Tech's record to 53-14. The Hokies picked up two new feats for their program, winning the league's regular season title en route to capturing the four-day tournament trophy as well.

"Our focus has never really changed, we've been after an ACC title the whole time," Virginia Tech head coach and ACC Coach of the Year Scott Thomas said. "Given some of the circumstances of the past month if some people find some comfort in our winning it, I hope they do because we're excited about it and we're excited to wear the orange and maroon. We can't wait to get back to Blacksburg and take the trophy into town."

Shortstop Charisse Mariconda got the bats warmed up for the Hokies as the sophomore doubled to right centerfield to open the bottom of the second. Rokey then deposited the third pitch she saw from Georgia Tech picture Sarah Wood over the left field fence to give Virginia Tech the 2-0 lead. The dinger was the fifth of the year Rokey and her first of the tournament.

Picking up the victory for the Hokies was Tincher, who improved to 37-5 on the year. The right-hander threw her 22nd shutout of the season, striking out ten, while surrendering just three hits and one walk. Taking the loss was Georgia Tech starter Wood as she dropped to 12-2.

"She is one of a kind," Thomas said of Tincher. "Her style of pitching and the caliber of pitcher she is, there's just nobody out there that pitches like her right now that I can see. There are some great pitchers out there obviously, but we're very fortunate. She dominating, has worked very hard to stay healthy this year, and she got command of a couple other pitches that have helped her this year. She's tough. I'm glad I'm not hitting her."

Georgia Tech had several opportunities to get the first run off Tincher since the opening day of the tournament. The Yellow Jackets put the lead runner on base in four of the first six innings, but failed to push a run across. Their best chance came in the third as Blair Shimandle and Stephanie Butler picked up back-to-back singles, but Tincher struck out two batters and induced a pop up to end the threat.

"We did not execute today," said Georgia Tech head coach Sharon Perkins. "We had runners in scoring position with the top of the lineup up and couldn't produce any runs, which turned the game for us. (Angela) Tincher did a great job and Virginia Tech deserves all of the credit for their win today."

The bottom of Virginia Tech's lineup produced four of its six hits, including a pair from Mariconda as well as one from Rokey and another from Whitney Davis. Shimandle picked up two of Georgia Tech's three hits.

The ACC will next await word from the NCAA Division I Softball Committee on how many teams will advance to regional play next week. The field of 64 teams will be announced live between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. tonight, Sunday, May 13, on ESPNews.

2007 All-Tournament Team
(MVP) Angela Tincher, Virginia Tech
Jessica Everhart, Virginia Tech
Kelsey Rokey, Virginia Tech
Caitlin Lever, Georgia Tech
Jennifer Yee, Georgia Tech
Whitney Haller, Georgia Tech
Veronica Wootson, Florida State
Robin Ahrberg, Florida State
Yuruby Alicart, Florida State
Emily Troup, North Carolina
Jennifer Wellborn, Maryland