Virginia Tech softball assistant coach Mike Lewis has won a national champion after he coached the Kegel Black Knights to a perfect 4-0 record at the USA Softball Men’s Major Fastpitch National Championship last week.
“It was an incredible experience getting to play at Hall of Fame Stadium,” Lewis said. “This is one of the elite championships in men’s fastpitch softball, and getting the opportunity to win it with a group of guys that have played together and knocking off the defending champions was something we won’t forget.”
The Black Knights, for whom Lewis serves as both player and general manager, won the national championship Sunday with an 8-1 win in the final. Lewis started all four games at third base for Kegel and was named an All-American at the conclusion of the tournament.
“We want to congratulate Mike and his teammates for winning the USA Softball Men’s Major
Tournament,” said Hokies head softball coach Pete D’Amour. “I know Mike had a large following of Hokies tuning in, including our players.”
Lewis sealed the win in the semifinal for the Black Knights Saturday night with a walk-off, two-run single. He started the tournament with back-to-back three-RBI games, including a home run in his first at-bat in Oklahoma City.
“We have a unique coaching situation here in Blacksburg based on playing experience and player development,” D’Amour said. I don’t know that there’s ever been a staff in college softball where all four coaches played men’s fastpitch, with Doug [Gillis] and Mike playing at the highest level. I’m really looking forward to getting on the field this fall.”
Lewis joined the Hokies earlier this year after serving as a volunteer assistant coach for Minnesota for the past two seasons and a graduate manager during the 2018 season. As part of the 2019 Golden Gophers staff, Lewis helped coach the team to its first Women’s College World Series appearance.
Prior to Minnesota, Lewis was on the Missouri-Kansas City staff for three years, including two years as assistant coach where he managed the pitching staff and the infield.
In his own fastpitch career, Lewis played for Team USA’s men’s fastpitch team. In 2012, he was a member of the junior national team that placed fifth at the World Championships in Argentina.
–VT Athletics
