Hokie softball: Playing for 32, not for a win

3:00 p.m.: Tech Softball Park, campus





The mood at the Hokies softball field is much like any other game day - the stands awash in maroon and orange, the loudspeaker blasting songs by Sugarland and Aerosmith, sunny skies prompting girls to bare their shoulders to avoid t-shirt tan lines.


The Hokies are preparing to play the Liberty Flames, who present 32 flowers to their competitors at the start of the game.


Over the loudspeaker blares Metallica's "Enter Sandman," now synonymous with Hokie Sports. Feet start stomping, the stands vibrate, pride swells. This is Hokie Nation, after all.


Over a crowd of at least 300 - not to mention the continuous stream of fans entering the stands - a tribute moment of silence brings not a peep from ordinarily snickering, coughing, fidgety college students. It's in that moment that the thought of April 16, 2007 rears itself and hangs overhead.

But then, on the field, it's "Play ball!" and business as usual for a team now ranked 19th in the nation.


Text by Wendy Maxey | Video by Tracy Boyer

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