![]() Texas led the way with the number one pick, and the draft lasted a total of four rounds. They were not required to exercise all four of their picks. On Monday, both the Texas franchise and Oklahoma City Spark went back and forth with their selections and were allotted three minutes between each pick. Vipers: Morgan Howe (Arizona State), Fa Leilua (Mississippi State), Ciara Bryan (University of Georgia/ULL), Shelbi Sunseri (Louisiana State University). Pride: Keely Rochard (Virginia Tech), Jessica Warren (Florida State), Samantha Show (Oklahoma State), and Casidy Chaumont (Mizzou). The existing teams in the league, USSSA Pride and Smash It Sports Vipers, each gave four players to the expansion draft pool, as follows: I feel strongly that any team can be built around the women that were in put in the expansion draft and I can’t wait to see how they impact their new teams.” Lauren Chamberlain, Commissioner Knowing that our new teams are adding women that joined us in our exhibition year is a testament to the type of talent they possess and the leaders they are. “To have an expansion draft in our first official year means that we are heading in the right direction. This milestone marks the consistent growth of the league, with two new teams having the option to start building their franchises around familiar WPF faces. She just made sure of that.Oklahoma City, OK - Women’s Professional Fastpitch held its first ever expansion draft this past Monday, January 16. People are going to see Virginia Tech as more of a powerhouse team.” I’m looking forward to seeing her in the circle for us again next year.”Īfter being eliminated in the Super Regionals by UCLA, Rochard told reporters that the Hokies “are definitely on the upward trend. ![]() Had she gone in the transfer portal, she could have gone wherever she wanted, but instead she stuck with us. We work hard on player development, and she’s appreciative of Doug and what he’s meant to her career. ![]() “From a purely selfish point of view, I am thankful for what she said about our coaching staff and why she’s coming back. Rochard’s return, combined with an additional year of experience for the rest of the team and some talented newcomers may vault the Hokies into the Top 10 preseason conversation. The Hokies also welcome one of the most highly-ranked recruiting classes in school history. Rochard’s work ethic has been regularly noted by D’Amour as a great example to the rest of the team.įresh off the school’s second ever appearance in the Super Regionals, the Hokies look to return almost their entire roster from this past season, including NFCA All-Mid Atlantic honorees Jayme Bailey, Kelsey Brown, Cameron Fagan and Kelsey Bennett. “Our returning and freshmen pitchers get to spend another year being mentored by Keely, and that is big for their development.” “Her return means way more to the future of our program than just potential on field success,” said D’Amour. Both Rosenberry and Osborne have credited Rochard with mentoring them in their transition to college, and her impact on the youngsters was noted by D’Amour. She is second all-time in strikeouts per seven innings at 9.4 and has thrown seven no hitters in her career along with 31 career shutouts.Īn easily overlooked benefit of Rochard’s return should be her positive influence on sophomore Pitchers Ivy Rosenberry (6-4, 3.06 ERA) and Mackenzie Osborne (2-1, 2.76 ERA), as well as incoming pitching recruit Emma Lemley. Rochard has 792 career strikeouts, which ranks third all-time at Virginia Tech. I hope that trend will continue.”Ī “better” Keely Rochard would be scary for Virginia Tech opponents. Every year that she’s worked with Doug (Gillis, pitching coach)), she’s gotten better and better. She should continue to solidify herself as one of the best athletes to ever play for Virginia Tech. “Her accolades will bring us more coverage nationally. “Fans of Hokies Softball know what it means to have Keely back from just an on field/results perspective, so I won’t even touch on that,” said D’Amour. Rochard’s return was welcome news for Hokie Coach Pete D’Amour. She won all three games in the Arizona State Regional and shut down #2 UCLA in the first game of the Super Regionals. Rochard pitched 244 of the Hokies’ 339.2 innings this past season (71.8%) with 348 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.38. Rochard, who has already played four seasons for the Hokies, will take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to spring sport athletes after the 2020 season was impacted by COVID-19. Run it back, 3! □ #ThisIsHome | #Hokies □ /RbTuBqfZ4A ![]() In an announcement that may cause Virginia Tech softball fans to take to the streets in celebration, All-American and ACC Pitcher of the Year Keely Rochard announced today that she will return to play softball for Virginia Tech next season. Keely Rochard will play one more season at Virginia Tech. ![]()
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