Virginia Tech pitcher Keely Rochard was the second overall pick in the recent Athletes Unlimited Softball Draft draft. The senior pitcher was one of 13 players drafted. She is the first Hokie drafted professionally since Courtney Liddle was drafted in 2013..
Rochard was named the third All-American in program history in 2021 and the second first-team member. She was also named the 2021 ACC Pitcher of the Year. Earlier today and this week was named a Top-10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
The right-hander went 22-2 in the regular season, leading the Hokies to the 2022 regular season ACC title. She currently leads the conference in strikeouts with 283 and ranks third nationally. She is averaging 11.6 strikeouts per inning with a 1.76 ERA.
The Athletes Unlimited season begins on July 29 with all games played at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Ill.
Currently in its 20th season, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is considered the most prestigious individual honor in Division I college softball and recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I softball players.
The top three finalists for the award will be revealed on May 18 prior to the NCAA Women’s College World Series, which is scheduled for June 1-10 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex.
This is the first time Rochard has been named a Top-10 finalist. Sher currently has 93 wins in her career, tied for second in school history. She most recently posted her 1,000th career strikeout, the second Hokie in school history to do so.