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The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named the Virginia Tech softball coaching staff as the Mid-Atlantic Region coaching staff of the year in a release by the organization on Thursday.

The award marked the third regional honor for the coaching staff. Guided by head coach Scot Thomas, associate head coach Al Brauns, assistant coach Barb Sherwood, volunteer assistant Whitney Davis and student assistants Kenzie Roark, Misty Hall and Ashton Ward, a young Tech team with only two seniors went 42-21 this season, including a 12-8 mark in the ACC.

Despite finishing tied for third in the ACC during the regular season, the Hokies made it all the way to the conference title game, eliminating top-seed North Carolina along the way. The Hokies advanced to the NCAA regionals for the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2008. They won two games before losing to host Tennessee twice on the final day to end their season.

The Tech squad set school records for home runs, sacrifice flies, double plays turned and the highest fielding percentage in program history.

Alabama’s coaching staff was named the overall national coaching staff of the year. The Crimson Tide won the national championship and finished with a 60-8 record.

Other regional winners included:

• Oklahoma (54-10) – Central Region

• Louisville (55-5) – Great Lakes Region

• South Florida (50-14) – Mideast Region

• Missouri (47-14) – Midwest Region

• Hofstra (42-15) – Northeast Region

• California (58-7) – Pacific Region

• Tennessee (52-14) – Southeast Region

• Arizona State (53-11) – West Region

The Hokies return their entire starting lineup for the 2013 season, including starting pitcher Jasmin Harrell, who went 29-14 this past spring.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Softball).