Virginia Tech baseball salvages weekend with win over Miami

It was a frustrating first two games of their ACC weekend series at Engish Field against Miami, to say the least for the Virginia Tech baseball team. The Hokies dropped Game 1 Friday night after allowing two ninth-inning home runs for an 8-6 loss. Saturday night, the Hokies dropped Game 2, 7-5, and that loss meant that they would suffer another ACC losing weekend.

Virginia Tech salvaged one win Sunday afternoon with a 13-4 victory over the struggling Hurricanes who dropped to 23-27 overall and 10-17 in the ACC, a record that they are not used to in South Florida this time of the year.

As for the Hokies, it was just what they needed, an offensive outbreak and some steady pitching to allow them to build their lead. Griffin Stieg worked the first three innings allowing two runs on two hits and striking out five. Brady Kirtner, Wyatt Parliament and Preston Crowl worked middle relief before Jordan Little worked the final three innings allopwing two hits and striking out five to secure a victory.

Offensively, Virginia Tech broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning against the Hurricanes. Carson DeMartini got the scoring started for the Hokies with a two-run first inning home run and Eddie Eisert added a solo shot later in the game. Ben Watson continued his torrid hitting with three hits, including a two-run double and Henry Crooke had two hits and drove in three runs.

The win moves Virginia Tech to 32-17 overall and 14-13 in the ACC with one series remaining next weekend at Virginia. They do close out their non-conference schedule Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at home against James Madison before traveling to Charlottesville for the series that will be played Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the ACC Tournament kicks off next week.