The Virginia Tech baseball team opened some eyes this past weekend by sweeping William & Mary to begin the 2026 season. They did it in multiple ways, including a rally in the bottom of the ninth of the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon to walk off the Tribe. Over the three games, the Hokies put up 25 runs and allowed just 11.
While it was a good start, Virginia Tech was facing a massive early-season test on Tuesday afternoon at English Field in a non-conference battle against East Tennessee State University. The Buccaneers entered the game also at 3-0 after sweeping Marist to begin the season. This is the first of two matchups between the two teams as the Hokies will return the trip in March to Tennessee. Looking for an early-season signature win, John Szefc's team got it.
Virginia Tech picks up big non-conference win over ETSU
The Hokies spotted the Buccaneers three runs in the top of the first, but allowed just two over the final eight innings, and they used a five-run bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good in a 7-5 victory to improve to 4-0.
Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the second, the Hokies closed the deficit to 3-2 on an RBI double from Sam Gates, and Pete Daniel had an RBI single. In the bottom of the fourth, Virginia Tech used small ball to take the lead when Daniel dropped down a bunt that scored a run. Treyson Hughes delivered an RBI ground-rule double. Henry Cooke then drove in two runs on an ETSU error.
Once again, the Hokies' bullpen was strong, allowing just two runs over the final five innings after Aiden Robertson worked the first four innings. Chase Swift, Luke Crayton, and Brendan Yagesh close out the Buccaneers. Virginia Tech returns to action this weekend, hosting Rutgers for three games beginning Friday.