Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Four Hokies were named to the D1 Softball Preseason Player Rankings, with an additional two student-athletes garnering spots on the D1 Softball Preseason Freshman Watch List.
Cori McMillan (No. 19), Emma Lemley (No. 65), Bre Peck (No. 71) and Michelle Chatfield (No. 75) earned their place on the Preseason D100 Player Rankings while Jayden Jones and Jordan Lynch are named to the Freshman Watch List.
McMillan, who already earned Softball America Preseason First Team All-American honors, set Virginia Tech’s single-season program home run record with 21 in her first year after transferring from Radford. The Greensboro, N.C., native finished the year batting .379 while also setting the new program record with her .869 slugging percentage to earn NFCA Second Team All-American recognition. Her 64 RBIs led the Hokies and she was a First Team All-ACC selection.
Lemley has been a staple in the circle for the Hokies over the past three seasons. The 2024 Second Team All-ACC selection earned her 50th career win last year and finished the season with a 2.64 ERA. She has 653 strikeouts and has held opponents to just a .211 batting average throughout her three years.
Peck, a second team All-ACC honoree last season, has been a staple for Virginia Tech at third base since her rookie campaign. The Royersford, Pa., native finished the 2024 season batting .345 with 13 home runs. She was one of four Hokies to start in all 55 games last season and finished second on the team with 51 RBIs. Peck was also one of four Hokies last season to record at least 60 hits.
Chatfield made a name for herself in her rookie campaign – earning Third Team All-ACC and All-ACC Freshman Team honors. She broke the single-season freshman home run record with 19 and posted a .275 batting average in 2024. She was one of four Hokies and the only freshman to start all 55 games.
Jones joins the Hokies ranked sixth by Extra Innings in the Class of 2024 Extra Elite 100. Jones is a two-time state champion and a two-time MVP for Gaylord. She was named First Team All-State, All-Region, All-District and All-Conference all four years. Jones was tabbed 2024 First Team All-Region by National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Lynch captured back-to-back State Championships in 2023 and 2024 at Rising Sun High School. She was Named a 2022 PGF All-American and was ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Class of 2024 by Extra Innings Softball. Lynch was a four-time Player of the Year as well at Rising Sun.
Virginia Tech kicks off its season at the Charleston Invitational (Feb. 7-9) in Charleston, S.C. and will face Fordham, North Dakota State and the College of Charleston.