LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the second straight season, head coach Pete D'Amour and his coaching staff have been recognized as the NFCA Mid-Atlantic Coaching Staff of the Year, the organization announced Thursday.
"We have an incredible staff that fits perfectly for Virginia Tech. Doug Gillis, Mike Lewis, and Easton Herring held down what you saw on the field but a lot of credit needs to go to Kristen Matthis, Coach Kelly Murphy, Bree Williams, Dr. Gary Bennett, our managers, Tim Moore, Zack Pagans and our field crew, too. We just have a phenomenal support staff at Virginia Tech," D'Amour said.
D'Amour shares the honor with assistant coaches Gillis and Lewis and volunteer assistant Herring. This is the third time D'Amour and his staff have been recognized with the award after earning it following the 2019 and 2021 seasons. This is the sixth time in school history that the Virginia Tech coaching staff has been named the Mid-Atlantic staff of the year (2007, 2008, 2012, 2013).
The Hokies advanced to the Super Regionals for the second straight season and hosted a Regional and a Super Regional for the first time in school history in D'Amour's fourth season at the helm. Tech also earned its second ACC Regular Season Title in four seasons, posting a 21-2 record in conference play, the best winning percentage in school history.
Virginia Tech had a conference-high 11 members on the All-ACC teams, including D'Amour being named Coach of the Year, Keely Rochard named Pitcher of the Year and Emma Lemley named Freshman of the Year. Rochard was also tabbed a Top-10 Finalist for USA Softball Player of the Year, while Lemley was a Top-3 Finalist for Schutt Sports/NFCA Freshman of the Year.
Under D'Amour and his staff, Rochard was named a First Team All-American for the second straight season and Emma Ritter earned a spot on the Third Team, marking the first time two Hokies have been honored as All-Americans in the same season. Tech finished the year with a 46-10 overall record, including 14 wins over Top-25 ranked opponents.
With Thursday's distinction, D'Amour and company are now eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year which will be announced on June 23.