BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech softball team enters the 2023 season ranked in the Top-15 for the second straight season. The Hokies rank No. 11 in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason poll.
Tech ended the 2022 season ranked No. 10/9 in the NFCA/USA Softball polls and No. 2 in the NCAA RPI. The Hokies spent three straight weeks at No. 1 in the RPI, beginning on March 22 when the first RPI was unveiled. The 2022 season also saw the Hokies set a new program record, receiving a No. 2 ranking on April 22.
This season, the Hokies will face National Championship Runner-Up Texas, as well as four teams that made the College World Series and 15 NCAA Tournament teams. Tech opens the season at the UNCW Tournament, facing East Carolina, Fort Wayne, and the Seahawks who were a regional team a season ago.
The Hokies finished with a 46-10 record in 2022, including 14 wins over Top-25 ranked opponents. Their 21-2 record in ACC play was the best conference winning percentage in school history, earning their second ACC regular season title in four years. 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.
All-American Emma Ritter and ACC Freshman of the Year Emma Lemley return for Tech, as well as six other All-ACC selections from a season ago. The Hokies also add eight newcomers set to make an impact.