LYINCHBURG, Va. – After its dominant start to the season was cut short due to COVID-19, Virginia Tech softball took home multiple awards Wednesday from the Virginia Sports Information Directors, highlighted by Pitcher of the Year Keely Rochard, Rookie of the Year Kaylee Hewitt and Coach of the Year Pete D'Amour.
Along with the three awards, seven Hokies appear on the all-state team from the university division, including five on the first team. Tech's 10 awards overall are the most of any school.
After leading the country in strikeouts (183), wins (15) and shutouts (7), Rochard earns Pitcher of the Year honors from VaSID. She is the first Hokie to win the VaSID Pitcher of the Year since Jasmin Harrell in 2012.
An impressive debut season from Hewitt was capped Wednesday with her claiming Rookie of the Year on the all-state team. Hewitt went 6-1 in the circle including a win over No. 14/13 Minnesota at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational. The freshman is the second straight Hokie to win Rookie of the Year after Kelsey Bennett earned the honor in 2019.
D'Amour wins his second VaSID Coach of the Year award in as many seasons as head coach of the Hokies. He had the team out to a 21-4 start, including 3-0 in the ACC, before the season's cancellation.
The Hokies land five players on the first team all-state, the most of any other school in the division. Mackenzie Lawter, Bennett, Jayme Bailey, Grace Chavez and Rochard each earn VaSID first-team honors.
Maddi Banks and Kelsey Brown are featured on the second team all-state.
2020 VaSID All-State University Division Softball Team
First Team
C – Mackenzie Lawter, Jr., Virginia Tech
1B – Kiaya Jeusi, So., Hampton
2B – Amber Bishop, Sr., Liberty
SS – Sara Jubas, Jr., James Madison
3B – Kelsey Bennett, So., Virginia Tech
OF – Jayme Bailey, So., Virginia Tech
OF – Kara Canetto, So., Liberty
OF – Sydney Fisher, Jr., Radford
OF – Kate Gordon, Sr., James Madison
DP/Utility – Grace Chavez, So., Virginia Tech
P – Sydney Backstrom, Jr., Longwood
P – Jessie Marvin, Jr., Radford
P – Keely Rochard, Jr., Virginia Tech
Second Team
C – Donna Friedman, So., Virginia
1B – Hunter Mundy, Sr., Radford
2B – Madison Naujokas, Sr., James Madison
SS – Maddi Banks, So., Virginia Tech
3B – Talia Douglas, Jr., Radford
OF – Brianna Anderson, Sr., Hampton
OF – Kelsey Brown, So., Virginia Tech
OF – Logan Newton, Jr., James Madison
DP/Utility – Odicci Alexander, Sr., James Madison
P – Noelle Doan, Fr., Hampton
P – Karlie Keeney, Fr., Liberty
P – Aly Rayle, So., Virginia
VaSID Player of the Year – Kate Gordon, Sr., James Madison
VaSID Pitcher of the Year – Keely Rochard, Jr., Virginia Tech
VaSID Coach of the Year – Pete D'Amour, Virginia Tech
VaSID Rookie of the Year – Kaylee Hewitt, Virginia Tech