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Racers pitcher to go up against national team she defeated in college
By Michael Beaven
Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008
Angela Tincher remembers March 26 clearly — and for good reason.
That night in Oklahoma City, she did what few pitchers have done: Tincher helped Virginia Tech University defeat the United States National Softball Team 1-0 in an exhibition game, and did so by pitching a no-hitter against an American team that has won gold medals at the three Olympics that have had softball.
''It's still ridiculous. It still hasn't completely sunk in,'' said Tincher, who is expected to pitch for the host Racers during some of tonight's game against Team USA at Firestone Stadium. ''Everything came together for us as a team. It was such a blur when it happened. It's still kind of unreal.''
Tincher struck out 10 Team USA batters and outdueled star pitchers Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott.
''The comments we received after that game in March from the USA National Team were flat-out, 'Wow,' '' Racers President/General Manager Joey Arrietta said of Tincher. ''The kid struck out 10 and was one walk away from a perfect
game.''
In addition to notching a victory over an impressive batting order, Tincher broke Team USA's 185-game winning streak in pre-Olympic exhibitions that dated to May 3, 1996. The U.S. team outscored opponents 1,475-24 during that span and enters Akron tonight with a 56-1 record on its 2008 KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour in preparation for the Summer Olympics.
''It was incredible. It gave me a lot of confidence going into the rest of the college season,'' said Tincher, who graduated with a finance degree and had tried out for Team USA. ''It meant a lot to me because I wanted to be on that team. I felt like I had something to prove, and I wanted to show them something I had not shown them before.''
Tincher, a 5-foot-7 right-hander, said she was scheduled to pitch three or four innings in that game and then get relieved, but with a no-hitter going, she was not going to be taken out.
''Every inning, I was trying to hold them from scoring,'' Tincher said. ''Next thing I know, it was the fifth, the sixth and then the seventh inning, and I am starting to think, 'Is this possible?' It was probably the best game I have pitched because my focus was there. I had to stay focused because their hitting lineup is amazing.''
Tincher, 22, said she hopes fans do not expect a repeat performance tonight, in part because other Racers will pitch.
''This game is really exciting, but we have to remember it is an exhibition game and keep perspective that we are trying to make the NPF playoffs,'' she said.
The successes
Tincher has a 9-4 record with the Racers, a 1.68 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 751/3 innings. She led the Hokies to the Women's College World Series, the program's first Elite Eight appearance, and compiled a career record of 123-35 with a 0.78 ERA and 2,149 strikeouts in 1,1161/3 innings.
She also received several accolades as a senior, including USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year, Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American award.
''I hope it hasn't changed me,'' Tincher said of the attention. ''It's kind of weird. I played three years of college and I wasn't expecting all this. Then my last year, everything got huge. I tried to not focus on what was being written and being said about us. I definitely don't feel that I have changed. I feel like I am the same person.
''I think it's flattering that people want to talk to me, and I don't take it for granted. I appreciate and enjoy it to a certain extent.''
Tincher was nominated for an ESPY Award for Best Female College Athlete, but former University of Tennessee and current Los Angeles Sparks WNBA basketball star Candace Parker won. North Carolina field hockey standout Rachel Dawson also was nominated.
''She has been in and out of our market because she has had so many things to attend,'' Arrietta said. ''She has been invited to pitching clinics and award shows.''
Arrietta said that despite the interview requests and constant travel, Tincher has been the consummate teammate.
''She is very humble,'' Arrietta said. ''I cannot believe how down to Earth and what a team player she is. If I ever had a daughter, I would want her to be like Angela Tincher.
''As a person, she far exceeds her talent. Academically, athletically and personality, she has it all. She has won every major award you could win in our sport.''
Team USA star hitter Jessica Mendoza also was impressed by Tincher and the two shook hands after the March game.
''She is one of the most amazing softball players I have ever seen,'' Tincher said. ''To have someone you look up to come and say something nice to you definitely means a lot. I remember it very clearly.''
The disappointment
Tincher said about 40 players were invited to try out for Team USA.
''I have heard from people that I was really close,'' Tincher said. ''It was disappointing, but at the same time, I was one of the youngest at the training camp. I kind of knew they would go with a lot of experienced players that have proven they can play internationally. I wanted to make the team, but I knew I had to have the tryout of a lifetime.
''I don't really have regrets. It worked out for a reason and I got to play my senior season.''
Tincher, who played on a USA University Team, said it saddens her that the 2012 Olympics will not include softball. She hopes the sport will return for the 2016 Olympics. If that were the case, she might have an interest in playing.
''It's definitely possible, but eight years is a long time,'' she said. ''Who knows what I will be doing? But playing in the Olympics was always a dream and a goal. It's disappointing. Four years from now would have been perfect.''
In the meantime, Tincher will play in Akron. Arrietta said Tincher signed a two-year contract with the Racers and there is an option for a third year.
''That's the first time we have done that,'' Arrietta said.
Angela Tincher remembers March 26 clearly — and for good reason.
Get the full article here.
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