It’s hard not to get excited about the Hokies Softball team's 7-0 start. Although very, very early in the season, some of the VT stats are crazy good: outhitting opponents (Team Batting Average) .428 to .128 and outscoring them 59-8. Pitching has been incredible - a 0.98 ERA with 5 shutouts, including a no hitter. The Hokies have also stolen 17 bases in 18 attempts. The elephant in the room is the old strength of schedule concern, which is certainly fair, but those numbers are still pretty darn good.

Next up is a Sunday game at 1:00 versus East Tennessee State, which has their own undefeated record (6-0-2). Yes, you read that correctly – ETSU has two ties this season – one due to travel constraints and one due to nightfall.

The Bucs have had a pretty good tournament themselves this weekend – going 4-0, beating Detriot Mercy 2-1 and 1-0 and Charleston Southern 4-3 and 12-0 (5 innings).

ETSU has reached the Southern Conference championship game the last two years, but were picked 6th in the league this year. In the circle, they are led by Junior Kelly Schmidt who has 3 shutouts in 4 starts this season with two of those shutouts coming this weekend.

The Buccaneers are led by preseason All-Conference First Team selections Lauren Lee (.440) and Taylor Wright (,417). They have a team batting average of .319 and have outscored their opponents 56-21. They have stolen 16 bases in 18 attempts.

This will be the first ever meeting between ETSU and VT, probably because former Hokies coach Scot Thomas was an ETSU grad. This game should be a nice step up for the Hokies, but I'm thinking the Hokies Express will keep on rolling. Still, that's why you play the game and what makes sports so maddening.

Let’s Go Hokies.

p.s. The Hokies have a second game on Sunday - a 3:15 rematch with Charleston Southern.