Tweet

BLACKSBURG – MedExpress Urgent Care, a national leader in delivering high-quality, convenient and affordable walk-in care, is partnering with Virginia Tech’s Athletic Department to host The 2014 Cancer Awareness Games. The signature Cancer Awareness Game will feature Virginia Tech’s softball team in a series versus No. 22 Notre Dame at Tech Softball Park with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 15 at 12 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 12 p.m. Former Tech softball trainer Carrie Hendrick, who has been faced with ovarian cancer, will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch on Saturday.

“We are honored to be able to support our Hokie sports teams through the Cancer Awareness Games,” said Rebecca Richards, Center Manager, MedExpress. “We are committed to serving the local community and are excited to help host activities that promote the health and well-being of the area.”

The upcoming Cancer Awareness Women’s Softball game is the fifth and final game in The 2014 Cancer Awareness Games. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive free “Think Pink” T-shirts and Hokie softball trading cards at Saturday’s games.

“Although the Pink initiative is generally associated with breast cancer, Carrie is one of our Hokie Softball family and her fight with ovarian cancer is courageous and inspiring to all of us,” said Scot Thomas, Virginia Tech softball coach. “Carrie is a former student trainer, proud Hokie and we are so excited have her here for our Cancer Awareness Day and to throw out the first pitch.”

MedExpress is a proud partner of schools and charitable organizations throughout the region. The Christiansburg Center plays an important role in the community’s health care, offering convenient features that help most patients get the care they need in under an hour. With an X-ray suite and on-site lab, the Center can diagnose and treat most health care needs in one location.

Notre Dame will enter the series with an 18-5 record and are 2-1 in the ACC. The Irish feature the top offense in the league, sporting a .324 average with 13 home runs, 47 doubles and 28 stolen bases. Karley Wester and Jenna Simon sport identical .389 averages to lead the way. All-American Emilee Koerner is back and is batting .359 with five home runs and 16 RBIs while four other players feature batting averages over .300.

In the circle, Laura Winter is back for her senior season. The 2013 Big East Pitcher of the Year is 12-2 with a 1.54 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 95.2 innings. She has seen a majority of the work, but Allie Rhodes (4-2, 1.81 ERA, 31 Ks, 38.2 IP) and Rachel Nasland (2-1, 2.66 ERA, 13 Ks, 23.2 IP) have also seen time in the circle.

Notre Dame owns a 11-4 lead in the series, but the Hokies have won the last two meetings. The Irish won all three series against the Hokies when the two were both in the Big East, but Tech beat Notre Dame 3-0 in 2012 in Kissimmee, Fla., and rallied to win 4-3 last year in the opening game of the 2013 NCAA Regional in Lexington, Ky.

Tech is 11-11 on the year and 2-3 in the ACC. The Hokies picked up wins over No. 15 South Alabama and No. 10 Florida State down in Florida over Spring Break, but finished the trip with just a 3-4 record overall. Kylie McGoldrick leads the offense with a .391 batting average and six home runs while Maggie Tyler is anchoring the pitching staff with a 6-3 record and a 2.92 ERA.

The entire series will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Danny Nokes and Whitney Davis on the call.

All games at Tech Softball Park are free. Live stats will be available here.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Softball