Clarisa Crowell was once a standout player for Virginia Tech. But today, she will be coaching against the Hokies.
Ohio will take on Virginia Tech in a double header today, in what will be a homecoming for the Bobcat assistant coach. Crowell starred as a pitcher, outfielder and third baseman for the Hokies from 1999-2002.
I'm a Hokie at heart
always will be Crowell said. It's just going to be great to have the players playing on the field I played on. I talk highly about their program. I know the kids are excited. They've been asking me who I'm going to root for which is obviously a silly question.
Virginia Tech (33-16, 2-10 Atlantic Coast Conference) has struggled in its first season in the ACC. The Hokies are on a five-game losing streak heading into the contest and a 4-6 losing record at home.
Crowell said the Hokies are in the same boat that Ohio is in, in that they both started out playing better than they are now. Like Ohio, Virginia Tech's pitching staff is also led by a freshman, Angela Tincher (17-5), who has a pencil-thin ERA of 1.00. However, Tincher will not pitch in the double header because of an injury.
That's huge for us
Crowell said. Their other pitchers have been doing fairly well. But if we can attack ball and hit ball and jump out on them
then we should be all right.
Filling the void for the Hokies will be Katie Maynard (12-10). She has recorded a 3.17 ERA in 132 1/3 innings.
Ohio coach Roanna Brazier said that Crowell is the main reason the match-up is taking place.
Of course she had something to do with it
she said. We're going to get a return trip from them so that helps. And they're within driving distance. And any time we can get an ACC or SEC or any kind of strong conference school to do a home and away with us
we're going to continue to do so.
For Crowell, beating her alma mater would be a tremendous accomplishment.
It would be a personal achievement to beat my coach
she said. For me personally
it means more than Virginia Tech versus Ohio. It will be fun to be at my old field and see some of my old Virginia Tech teammates.
The Bobcats will take on the Hokies in a double header at 3 p.m. today at Tech Softball Park.
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