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Local Sports

Local sports in the Panhandle are not just a game, they are a lifestyle. Our community eats, sleeps and breathes cheering on our local athletes.
News13 is On Your “Sidelines” bringing you more than the score.
News13’s Stephen Gunter is committed to giving you stories of the Panhandle’s top athletes, intriguing match-ups and unusual sports you may not even know exist.
sgunter@wmbb.com

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Virginia Tech’s Healing Process

TALLAHASSEE - It was a day like any other day at the ballpark.

When Callie Rhodes lead-off with a ground out to short, Virginia Tech fans cheered her hustle.

Which was perhaps the best thing for the Hokies; normalcy with their first ACC softball tournament game since 32 people died in the Virginia Tech shooting spree.

“It just helps so much to be able to go back and do what I do,” Virginia Tech outfielder Caroline Stolle said after Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Virginia.  “Doing what I’ve done my whole life.”

“Kind of just relax,” catcher Kelsey Hoffman said.  “It’s a chance to forget about the troubles that happened that week.”

The attack happened on Monday, April 16.  The softball team’s game scheduled for that Tuesday was canceled.  But the coaches did allow an optional practice on Thursday of that week.

“Basically Blacksburg turned into a ghost town,” Stolle said.  “I wouldn’t want to go home.  I wouldn’t want to stop practicing ‘cause it would be just too weird.”

“It’s just like going back to business after the emotions were set,” Hoffman said.  “But, It was hard.”

Even in a tough conference, like the ACC, you’ll find just as many people pulling for Virginia Tech in Tallahassee as you would in Blacksburg, Va.

“Yes, I will cheer for Virginia Tech,” North Carolina State fan Mitch Presnell said.  “We all still have that spot in our hearts.”

“I saw Boston College had some orange ribbons in their hair,” Stolle said.  “I’ve seen other teams with black wrists bands.  Some kind of dedication and it really does mean a lot that these teams usually don’t want us to do well.”

This softball season can serve as a memorial.  Every Hokies win honors the memory of those who died.

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