BLACKSBURG – Celebrating the 2023 graduating class of Virginia Tech softball.
#2 Jayme Bailey
Bailey has been a member of the Hokies for the past five seasons, starting in 241 games in a Virginia Tech uniform. Over that time, Jayme has 234 hits, including 47 doubles, 11 triples and 36 home runs, with 147 RBI. She is a three-time All-ACC member, as well as a Mid-Atlantic Region First Team and Third Team honoree. Bailey finished first in school history in total bases, as well as in the top three for doubles, triples, home runs and runs batted in. Bailey's favorite memory is winning the 2022 Blacksburg Regional. Running on four hours of sleep and winning the game with her best friends was the best moment of her collegiate career. She graduated in May 2023 with a degree in Public Relations and Organizational Leadership and will be attending grad school at Virginia Tech next year.
#5 Jenna Pearson
Pearson appeared in 31 games in a Hokie uniform, recording 11 runs scored over her career. During the 2022 Blacksburg Regional, she scored a pivotal run in the game seven victory over Kentucky. Pearson scored a run in four straight games this season and also scored two runs in the series against Duke. Her favorite memory with the team is beating Kentucky in game seven of the Blacksburg Regional to advance to Supers. Pearson graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. Following graduation, she will be working as a software engineer at MITRE.
#8 Kelsey Bennett
The Virginia Tech softball all-time RBI leader, Bennett has been a member of the Hokies since 2019. She has started in 244 games, registering a .312 batting average with 214 hits, 170 RBI and 47 home runs. During her time with Tech, she has been named ACC Freshman of the Year, as well as All Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team and an All-ACC member for three separate seasons. Bennett will finish in the top-3 in school history in home runs, total bases and doubles. Her favorite memory with the team was sweeping Virginia in 2020. She graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations and a minor in Real Estate.
#12 Shanan Hester
Hester joined the Hokies for the 2023 season after playing four seasons with Roanoke College. She appeared in four games for the Hokies this year, scoring a run in the 15-3 run-rule win over Gardner Webb on March 8. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is putting on the uniform for the first time and having the opportunity to play with such a great group of girls who have made her last year of softball her best one. Hester will graduate in December 2023 with a Master's in Natural Resources and Global Sustainability.
#15 Emma Yates
Yates has been a member of the Hokies since the 2020 season, appearing in 32 games for Virginia Tech. She recorded her first career hit in the win over Syracuse in 2022 and also scored nine runs for the Hokies last season. She recorded a hit in the run-rule win over Longwood and scored a run in the win over ECU this season. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is going to Universal Studios with the team last year. Yates graduated in May 2023 with a degree in Criminology and Sociology.
#16 Meredith Slaw
Slaw joined the Hokies in 2019 and has appeared in 151 games for Virginia Tech. During the 2022 season, she was named First Team All-ACC and Mid-Atlantic Region First Team after finishing with a .353 batting average and leading the Hokies with 41 RBI. After the Hokies defeated No. 2 FSU twice a season ago, Slaw earned ACC Player of the Week, going 6-for-7 in those two games, tallying three home runs and seven RBI. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is beating Kentucky at home to win regionals. Slaw graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Information Systems and completed her Master's in Accounting and Information Systems this May. She will be starting a full-time job in July at Kearney and Company.
#19 Madison Hanson
Hanson has been a member of the Hokies for the past four seasons, making 62 appearances. She has tallied 15 hits in a Virginia Tech uniform, including two doubles and three home runs, adding 14 RBI. During the 2023 season, Hanson hit her first career home run, a two-run home run to take the lead over No. 5 Oklahoma State. She also had home runs in the wins against Nebraska and Mount St. Mary's. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is bomb Friday in the fall. She will graduate in August 2023 with a Master's in Leadership Studies.
#21 Kelsey Brown
Joining the Hokies in 2020, Brown has played in 173 games in a Hokie uniform. During the 2021 season, she was named Second Team All-ACC and First Team Mid-Atlantic Region after appearing in all 52 games with a .384 batting average and 31 stolen bases. She was named ACC Player of the Week this season and led the Hokies with a .423 batting average. She also ranks third in school history with 81 career stolen bases. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is winning Regionals in back-to-back seasons and going to Harry Potter World with the team. She will graduate in June 2023 with a Master's in Business Administration with a focus in Business Analytics.
#24 Morgan Overaitis
Overaitis joined the Hokies in 2021 and has appeared in 108 games for the Hokies, including 54 games started. She was named to the 2022 All-ACC Team after finishing the year with a .341 batting average and a 1.048 OPS. She was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2022. Overaitis recorded 10 hits in 2023, including five doubles and two home runs. Her favorite memory with Virginia Tech softball is hosting a Regional and Super Regional in Blacksburg for the first time in school history. She graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health.
#28 Grace Chavez
Chavez has been a member of the Virginia Tech softball team for the past five seasons, appearing in 122 games with 66 starts. She has tallied 65 hits, adding 72 RBI and 31 runs scored. Chavez has hit 24 home runs for the Hokies and her career slugging percentage sits at .642 over her 226 at bats. Chavez had three home runs in 2023, including a clutch two-run home run in the win over No. 9 Texas. Her favorite memory with the team is going to Universal Studios last season. Grace graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in English, Pre-law.