Hokie Club
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Virginia Tech softball assistant coach Mike Lewis is a national champion after he and the Kegel Black Knights went a perfect 4-0 at the USA Softball Men's Major Fastpitch National Championship this weekend.
"It was an incredible experience getting to play at Hall of Fame Stadium," Lewis said. "This is one of the elite championships to win in Men's Fastpitch and getting the opportunity to win it with a group of guys that have played together and knocking off the defending champions was something we won't forget."
The Black Knights, for whom Lewis serves as both player and general manager, won the national championship Sunday with an 8-1 win in the final. Lewis started all four games at third base for Kegel and was named an All-American at the conclusion of the tournament.
"We want to congratulate Mike and his teammates for winning the USA Softball Men's Major Tournament," Hokies head coach Pete D'Amour said. "I know Mike had a large following of Hokies tuning in, including our players."
Lewis sealed the win in the semifinal for the Black Knights Saturday night with a walk-off, two-run single. Lewis also started the tournament with back-to-back three-RBI games, including a home run in his first at-bat in Oklahoma City.
"We have a unique coaching situation here in Blacksburg based on playing experience and player development," D'Amour said. "I don't know that there's ever been a staff in college softball where all four coaches played Men's fastpitch, with Doug [Gillis] and Mike playing at the highest level. I'm really looking forward to getting on the field this fall."