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Monica who?

Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher took center stage in what was once Monica Abbott's "K-Town'' Friday, fanning 20 and allowing one hit in the Hokies' 1-0, 10-inning NCAA softball regional victory over Louisville.

Tincher lost a head-to-head match up with Tennessee and NCAA strikeout queen Abbott 9-1 two years ago.

Since then, Tincher has closed to No. 3 on the NCAA's all-time strikeout list, no-hit the U.S. Olympic team and become arguably the best pitcher in the nation.

But will she pitch to arguably the best hitter in the country - SEC player of the year Tonya Callahan - when Virginia Tech plays UT at noon today?

"That will be up to her and her coaching staff,'' said Ralph Weekly, who along with his wife, Karen, serves as co-head coach of the Lady Vols. "I don't think she'll back down from any challenges.

"She's the No. 1 strikeout artist in the nation right now, and she has definitely got our respect.''

Callahan, who was intentionally walked in two of her three at-bats in UT's 3-0 win over Winthrop on Friday, said she's not losing any sleep over the possibility of facing Tincher.

"It doesn't worry me,'' said Callahan, UT's all-time home run leader. "We have total confidence in our batting. You can't get uptight about it.''

Perhaps not, but Tincher has proved she can beat the best with that no-hitter against Team USA in the 1-0 Virginia Tech win earlier this season.

Abbott, who came on in relief in the sixth inning after Virginia Tech had scored its run, said Tincher deserves all the credit.

"She threw a lot of rise balls and mixed speeds,'' Abbott said. "I think she got hyped up; she didn't like it that she got cut from (U.S.) tryouts. She probably felt she had to prove something, and she pitched excellent.''

Louisville coach Sandy Pearsall said Tincher belongs on the U.S. Olympic team, and that was before the Cardinals' lost to her Friday.

Tincher said the difference between her now and the last time she faced UT is experience.

"Just being in these situations where we've seen a lot of great teams,'' Tincher said.

The ACC Tournament champion Hokies (45-15) don't have the strongest bats, hitting only .252 and sorely lacking timely hits.

That was a factor Friday. Virginia Tech stranded 12 runners before Misty Hall delivered a game-winning home run to lead off the bottom of the 10th-inning.

"A couple times we hit the ball hard and didn't make things happen,'' Hokies coach Scot Thomas said.

Hall, who took an outside fastball over the right field wall on the first pitch of the 10th, said that she and her teammates have confidence.

"We usually come through when we need to,'' Hall said.

Thomas said Hall, a sophomore who leads the team with six home runs, has great potential.

"She's probably the best female athlete at Virginia Tech,'' Thomas said. "She can run, she's 6-foot tall, rangy and strong and does so many good things. She's showing her potential with the hit she had today.''

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.