Hollee Warlitner's hero is former Virginia Tech softball great Angela Tincher, who began her prep career at Alleghany High School.

Warlitner, Alleghany's current softball standout, will now have a chance to star for the Hokies as well.

The senior catcher said she has reaped a partial scholarship offer and will sign with Tech when the NCAA's fall signing period begins in two weeks.

"I had always liked Tech softball, and [Tincher] put it on the map," Warlitner said. "She's definitely a hero of mind, so I wanted to kind of follow her, even though I'm not a pitcher."

The two-time All-Timesland first-team pick said Tech coach Scot Thomas, whose team made the Women's College World Series last season, recruited her to play the outfield.

"D-I ... has always been a very big dream of mine," said Warlitner, who played for the Alleghany volleyball team this fall. "I'm just very, very excited to go there."

Warlitner hit .480 with three homers and 15 RBIs as a junior last spring, earning All-Region III honors. She scored 22 runs and stole 19 bases.

She spent last summer playing for the Roanoke Scrappers, just like Tincher once did.

Tincher, who transferred to James River after her freshman year at Alleghany, is now serving as a Tech assistant coach while she pursues her master's degree.

Warlitner consulted the pro pitcher about whether to accept Tech's offer or hold off to see if she could attract any other suitors in the spring.

"She was like, 'Where do you want to go?'" Warlitner said. "I was like, "Tech.' She said, 'Well, you should take it while it's there.' "

Thomas will have three area players on his team next spring: freshman pitcher Abbie Rexrode (James River), senior first baseman Beth Walker (Galax) and junior catcher Amber Walker (Galax).