BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10 SPORTS) - The Virginia Tech softball team is headed to the ACC tournament as the #6 seed in an eight team single elimination tournament.
The Hokies packed up the bus Wednesday to head to Raleigh, North Carolina where N.C. State is hosting the 2016 conference tournament.
"I'm really excited about it, ACC's, everybody goes into it 0-0, there's no pressure, you just have to go in there and play the best you can against some good teams," explained senior pitcher Maggie Tyler.
With a record of 29-27, the Hokies have one of the toughest schedules in the country. Tyler has led this young team with a 2.46 ERA and exceptional leadership on the mound.
"She's done a great job for us all year long, she's really stepped it up as a senior and we've had to lean on her hard, we've done a great job of playing the ball behind her and I think she's had her confidence and the confidence our players have behind her have paid off for us in a big way," said head softball coach Scot Thomas.
The softball program's last ACC tournament title was in 2008, but the Hokies hope this is their year
"I'm hoping to see us accept a championship trophy on Saturday, I think we have, from a pitching stand point, all the elements. We are a little young, so is Notre Dame, who we play Thursday night. But our goal the whole time is try to compete for an ACC title and that's what we're going down there to try to do," he said.
Virginia Tech and Notre Dame take the field Thursday at 7:30 pm in the quarterfinals.
For the full ACC softball tournament schedule, visit http://www.theacc.com/page/championship_w-softbl.