All-American Leads By Example

The Eagle Rock native has been the backbone of a surging softball program over the past few years. To say she will be missed after she graduates would be a vast understatement.

As of April 13, Tincher is 114 strikeouts short of becoming only the third pitcher ever in Division 1 softball to record 2,000 career strikeouts.

The two-time All-American has also recorded 108 career wins, tied for the most ever in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

She has started in 129 games and has lost only 30. That gives her a winning percentage of just under 77 percent.

“We’ve had some tremendous players here in the past and we’ll continue to have some great players,” said Thomas, “but she is at a different level than most players are in the whole world. We’re just trying to enjoy the moment and be excited that she is here.”

Tincher led the Hokies in 2007 to the ACC regular season title, and then their first ACC tournament championship, garnering MVP honors.

She was named a first-team NFCA All-American in 2007 along with being named the ACC pitcher of the year.

This year she looks to lead the Hokies to their second consecutive conference title and receive the same awards, possibly even more.

Her most impressive performance was last month in Oklahoma City against the U.S. National team. Tincher no-hit the three-time Olympic gold medalists in an exhibition game as Tech won 1-0.

The game was a part of the KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour put on by Team USA. In the first 18 games of the tour, Team USA outscored their opponents 174-3. The win for the Hokies snapped the National team’s 185-game winning streak in pre-Olympic tour competition.

However, it’s not just Tincher’s statistics and awards on the field, but also her work ethic and habits off the field, that make her a great leader and a great influence on her teammates.

“She’s definitely a positive influence off the field,” said Thomas. “She’s a leader by example and she works very hard. She does the things that make her better and she doesn’t miss appointments. She does the things to keep her healthy and to get the job done.”

She is not only excelling on the softball field but also in the classroom as a senior finance major.

Thomas feels her study habits and determination in the classroom rubs off on her teammates. “Her being an Academic All-American obviously shows (her teammates) how important it is to take care of their academics.”

Jerry Massey is in his third season as a play-by-play announcer for Hokiesports.com, so he has seen the evolution of Tincher more than most.

“Her rise ball makes her the most dominant pitcher in college softball today,” said Massey. “She takes things in stride and she feels very comfortable on the mound. She’s a fierce competitor and she just feels like she can strike anyone out.”

Coach Thomas agrees with Massey when it comes to why she is so dominant on the mound.
“She has a tremendous rise ball, but other than that she has an equally devastating drop ball,” said Thomas. “She has the ability to go up and down in a vertical strike zone as well as anyone I’ve seen pitch in the game, and that’s one of the things that makers her such a devastating pitcher.”

Tincher’s success hasn’t just happened overnight.

“She’s matured a lot, especially in the last two years,” said Thomas. “Things don’t bother her anymore. Mentally, she’s as tough as nails.”

“I’ve seen her develop in a way in which she has had more confidence,” said Massey. “She has an uncanny ability in which she is not cocky at all.”

When asked what she did to keep the hitters off the bases against in-state rival Virginia, Tincher modestly gave most of the credit to her catcher Kelsey Hoffman.

“I think we mixed it up pretty well. Kelsey called a great game,” said Tincher. “She usually calls the pitches for every game.”

The future is very bright for Angela Tincher as she was recently drafted third overall by the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League.  For now, though, expect the dominating pitcher to enjoy the rest of her senior season as she tries to help the Hokies win a couple more games in Oklahoma City; this time in the College Softball World Series.