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They’ll be a long way from Holston High School, but Lisa Blackburn and Faith Ritchie will perform a familiar ritual today.

Ritchie will be wearing her black and red Cavaliers’ uniform and playing in the outfield.

Blackburn will be in the dugout shouting out instructions and encouraging her standout player.

One final time, the mother and daughter will share some bonding time as player and coach.

“It’ll be really cool playing for her, my last official game as a softball player in high school,” Ritchie said. “It’s going to be kind of bittersweet at the same time. I’ll just give it my all like I always do.”

Ritchie and Blackburn will be among the Southwest Virginia contingent on the field for this morning’s Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Game at Christopher Newport University. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m.

Iesha Mountain , Megan Robinson , Kelsey Weddle and Erica Gilliam will also play today. Abingdon’s Jason Delp will join Blackburn on the West coaching staff.

Ritchie and Weddle, a star pitcher at PH, faced off many times over the past four years in numerous Hogoheegee District battles.

“I’m approaching it as any other game, just with new people,” Ritchie said. “It feels really good that I’m going to be on Kelsey Weddle’s side.”

Holston reached the state championship game for the second straight year, dropping a 3-0 decision to Bath County. For Ritchie, the lone senior on the Holston roster, it capped another memorable season.

She hit .338 with 26 RBIs, stole 14 bases and scored 25 runs. She also had three outfield assists.

This will actually be her second all-star experience. When she was just 8-years-old she tagged along with her mom to watch former Holston star Beth Matlock play in the VHSCA event.

Now, she’s a participant and her mom will be there coaching her up.

“I am really glad that both of us are going to be there,” Blackburn said. “The last time together on the field. … It’s really a privilege and we’re excited.”