Virginia Tech Hokies News: Football transfer commits, NFL Pro Day, baseball beat Pitt

In this edition of Virginia Tech Hokies News, the baseball team rallies past Pittsburgh, the softball drops their first ACC game, a former defensive lineman impresses at a Pro Day and an offensive lineman in the transfer portal picks a new home for the 2024 season.

Baseball rallies past Pittsburgh

Through 6 and 1/2 innings, the 13th-ranked baseball team trailed Pittsburgh, 3-2, but as the Hokies have done this season late in games, they rallied to avoid dropping the first game of a three-game weekend series against the struggling Panthers.

Trailing 3-2 with nine outs left, Clay Grady tied the game in the seventh with an RBI single, then Carson DeMartini delivered a two-run double for a 5-3 lead. In the fourth inning, Henry Cooke cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 with a two-run home. The Hokies finished with eight hits from eight different players Brett Renfrow worked the first 6.1 innings, striking out five and allowing just two hits and three runs while walking two.

Softball drops first ACC game at Duke

The Hokies softball team entered their weekend series at Duke undefeated at 9-0 after three series sweeps, but they suffered their first loss of the season Thursday night to the Blue Devils, 14-5.

Cori McMillan had a three-run home run and solo home runs for the Hokies to lead the way offensively. Virginia Tech will look to even the series Friday night in Game 2.

Jack Hollifield commits in the transfer portal

Former Virginia Tech offensive lineman Jack Hollifield entered the transfer portal on Dec. 28 and Thursday, he announced where he'll play his football in 2024. He announced on his X page that he committed to Appalachian State.

The Shelby, North Carolina native played in 12 games in 2023 and 23 for his career in Blacksburg.

Pheladarius Payne impressed at Virginia Tech Pro Day

Virginia Tech held their Pro Day and one player that impressed and saw his stock rise ahead of the NFL Draft next month is defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne. He ran a 4.85 40-yard dash and had a 31" Vertical. Expect his name to be called at some point next month in the draft.