ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Tincher family has made two new friends, and the Virginia Tech softball team has picked up two new fans.

In November 2006, Adrianne Denney, an all-state softball pitcher in Casey, Ill., died at the age of 15 of complications from surgery for an aneurysm in an artery in her shoulder.

"The 'what ifs' sort of kill me," her father, Rusty Denney, said Sunday.

This month, Denney and his wife, Julie, read online a Roanoke Times feature about Tech ace Angela Tincher. The James River graduate's relationship with her father, who taught her how to pitch, reminded Denney of how he had taught Adrianne to pitch.

Two weeks ago, the Denneys decided to make the seven-hour drive to Knoxville, Tenn., to see the Hokies play in the NCAA regional there. They introduced themselves in the stands to Tincher's parents, Denny and Susan, and told them about their daughter. They shared hugs and tears.

After Tech won its first game of the regional on May 16, the Tinchers introduced Angela to the Denneys. The following day, Angela shut out Tennessee -- and gave the Denneys the game ball.

The Tinchers and the Denneys spent a lot of time together that weekend. A bond was formed.

"We feel like we've known them for years," Denney said.

So on Friday, the Denneys drove six hours to Michigan to root for the Hokies in the Super Regional. They were given Virginia Tech gear to wear.

"By this weekend, the whole team had adopted them," Denny Tincher said. "They're part of our family now."

When the Hokies play in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on Thursday, the Denneys will be there.

"They're our ... good-luck charms," Angela Tincher said.