Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech softball team has added seven Hokies to its 2022 class. Hailing from five different states, the Hokies look to increase the talent in Blacksburg to continue building on their national success.
"This class has a little of everything. It's a very athletic class but the two things that stand out are power hitting and power pitching. These young ladies hit over 200 home runs total throughout their high school careers and the two pitchers have the ability to throw the ball upper 60's on a consistent basis," head coach Pete D'Amour said.
"I'm confident this crew can come and fit in with our program right away. I'd like to thank Mike Lewis for his efforts in securing this class and the new Hokies and their families for joining our program."
Kylie Aldridge
Fayetteville, N.C. / Gray's Creek High School / Catcher
A four-year letter winner out of Gray's Creek High School, Kylie Aldridge joins the Hokies after a standout high school career. The catcher batted .700 during the 2021 season with 28 hits, 31 RBIs and six home runs. She led her team to the 3A Eastern Finals as well as earning the 2021 3A East State Player of the Year. The slugger was also awarded 2021 Conference Player of the Year, NCASA District 4 Player of the Year, the 910 Preps Female Athlete of the Year, and the High School OT Female State Player of the Year. Aldridge's honors don't stop there as she was named two-time First Team All-Conference, All-District and All-State. She was also named an Extra Innings High School All-American and to the Extra Innings 18U All-Summer Team.
Aldridge chose Virginia Tech over UNCW, Winthrop, North Carolina A&T and Virginia Wesleyan.
Megan Furr
Centreville, Va. / Westfield High School / Outfield
An outfielder from Virginia, Megan Furr signs with the Hokies after earning four letters at Westfield High School. She was named First Team All-Conference in 2018 and 2020 (2019 season missed due to COVID19), as well as First Team All-Region. During her last high school season, Furr posted 21 hits, including four doubles, one triple and a home run. She had 16 RBIs along with a 1.105 slugging percentage and a 1.758 OPS. As a member of the VA Xplosion, the outfielder had 10 doubles, as well as 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. She put up a .525 batting average with a .552 on base percentage.
Furr chose Virginia Tech over Canisius and Christopher Newport.
Lyndsey Grein
Mokena, Ill. / Lincoln-Way Central High School / Pitcher
Lindsey Grein will join the Hokies as a four-year starter in the circle for Lincoln-Way Central. During her high school career, the ace helped lead her team to a second-place finish at the State Championship alongside a season total of 292 strikeouts. She also added a batting average of .420 with 11 home runs. As a junior, Grein earned Second Team All-State as well as the Suburban Conference Red Player of the Year. The pitcher was also named Team MVP, All-Area and the Herald News Player of the Year after her standout season.
Grein chose Virginia Tech over UCLA, Ohio State, Penn State and Miami (Ohio).
Emma Jackson
Chincoteague, Va. / Chincoteague High School / Outfield
Another outfielder added to the Hokie squad, Emma Jackson is a letterwinner at Chincoteague High School in Virginia. Over her high school career, Jackson is a two-time First Team All-District honoree as well as the 2021 Player of the Year. Over 25 games at Chincoteague, she posted a .580 average with seven home runs and 4 RBIs. She is also closing in on 100 home runs throughout her entire career. As a member of Starz Gold, the slugger hit 29 home runs with 85 RBIs and a .513 average.
Payton List
Beaver, Pa. / Beaver Area High School / Pitcher
Adding more depth in the circle, Payton List joins Virginia Tech as a State Champion from Beaver, Pa. The pitcher also led her team to a WPIAL softball championship alongside a 21-0 record in the circle with a 0.64 ERA. List posted 233 strikeouts in 120 innings, as well as a .409 batting average with 23 RBIs and five home runs. She is a two-time All-Section honoree as well the Beaver County Times Female Athlete of the Year and 4A Softball Player of the Year. List also adds Post-Gazette Softball Player of the Year and PIAA State Player of the Year to her resume. As a member of the Williamsburg Stars, List went 18-0 in the circle with 144 strikeouts over 84 innings. At the plate, she recorded a 1.465 OPS with a .476 average, adding 12 home runs and 51 RBIs.
List chose Virginia Tech over Pitt, James Madison, N.C. State, Coastal Carolina and Robert Morris.
Trinity Martin
Lynchburg, Va. / Halifax County High School / Outfield
Trinity Martin will join the Hokies after a four-year career at Halifax County High School in Virginia. The outfielder was named First Team All-District and First Team All-Region after posting a .652 batting average over 23 at bats. She hit four home runs with 15 RBIs over nine games, finishing with an on base percentage of .724 and a slugging percentage of 1.217. As a key player for Williamsburg Stars Gold, Martin had a batting average of .429 with four home runs and 25 RBIs. She was also solid on the base paths, stealing 16 bases.
Martin chose Virginia Tech over Virginia, Miami (Ohio) and Radford.
Teagan Thrunk
Point Pleasant, N.J. / Point Pleasant Borough High School / Infield
Ranked the 58th best player in the 2022 signing class, Teagan Thrunk will join the Hokies from Point Pleasant, N.J. A four-year varsity starter at shortstop, Thrunk held a .520 batting average this past season and was also voted the best softball player in New Jersey by MaxPreps. As a five-year member with the N.J. Intensity, Thrunk has held a .440 batting average during her time with the team, as well as posting a .400 average last season.
Thrunk chose Virginia Tech over Stanford, Syracuse, Georgetown, Colgate, Delaware and Holy Cross.