Virginia Tech baseball drops disappointing series opener at Notre Dame

Last weekend, the Virginia Tech baseball team did what not many people have been able to do. They went to Winston-Salem and swept Wake Forest, ranked 16th at the time, for a huge statement weekend. It was another step forward for a program that was looking to build on an NCAA Tournament résumé.

As has been the case for the last couple of seasons with the Hokies, they take one step forward and two steps back.

After they swept the Demon Deacons, Virginia Tech cracked Baseball America's Top 25 at No. 25, but that stay will be short after a disappointing week so far for John Szefc's team. After a dreadful 8-1 mid-week loss at home to Radford, the Hokies began their weekend series in South Bend with another disappointing loss.

Virginia Tech baseball drops series opener at Notre Dame

As if losing to Radford wasn't bad enough, Virginia Tech dropped their series opener to Notre Dame on Friday afternoon, with Brent Renfrow lasting just three innings on the mound for the Hokies in terrible weather.

The Hokies took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Jackson Cherry had a solo home run. Notre Dame tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball and took the lead one inning later by scoring on a fielder's choice. The Hokies tied the game in the top of the fifth, but the Irish took the lead for good on a throwing error.

Notre Dame added an RBI single and two-run homer from Carson Tinney for the 7-2 final. The Hokies used nine pitchers to get through the outing while Jack Radel went seven innings for the Irish allowing just three hits, two runs, walking three and striking out five. Game 2 will be on Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Hokies look to breka their losing streak.