#Keely rochard softball pro

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.

#Keely rochard softball pro

The Hokies also welcome one of the most highly-ranked recruiting classes in school history. Former Warhill High and Virginia Tech All-America pitcher Keely Rochard signed to play professionally with the Viera, Florida-based USSSA Pride of Women’s Pro Fastpitch. 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. It made me very comfortable as a mother with her going to that staff.Keely Rochard will play one more season at Virginia Tech. “When Coach Larissa got on the phone and told me she was going to take care of my baby girl, it made me want to cry. “I could see their passion and enthusiasm, and that they care about their players. “I wanted her to play for a staff that is similar to what Rick and I do, one that is hands-on and teaches fundamentals,” said Angie Nicholson, whose other daughters, freshman Mackenzie and eighth-grader Payton, will soon join Taylor Nicholson in the Warhill infield. In new Missouri coach Larissa Anderson, Angie Nicholson feels her daughter will enjoy that balance. She has been aided through the recruiting process by her mom, who wanted her daughter to play for a coach who was knowledgeable about softball and would take a personal interest in her. Nicholson made her first (unofficial) recruiting visit to Michigan after seventh grade. She decided to focus on softball because she would like to follow her mom into coaching and will major in early childhood or special education at Missouri. Growing up around the game, Nicholson says, she honed her softball IQ and learned to pick up the spin on a ball early by batting against her mom’s pitchers. Richard Nicholson serves as his wife’s assistant coach at HU. Angie Nicholson is in her third year as the head softball coach at Hampton University, following head-coaching stints with Cleveland State and Eastern Illinois. Mom did not push the decision but proved still to be a big influence.