After dropping the series opener in the final regular-season ACC series on Thursday night, the Virginia Tech baseball team was looking to even the series against Virginia in the Commonwealth Clash. Mother Nature, however, had other ideas as the game was delayed because of heavy rain in the area, but once it cleared out, the Hokies were up to the challenge of evening the series.
It was a total team effort in Virginia Tech picking up the one-run victory to even the series after a pinch-hitting solo home run from David Lewis in the bottom of the sixth broke a 4-4 tie, but Grant Manning was stellar out of the bullpen for the Hokies. In relief of starter Jake Marciano, Manning worked the final 5.1 innings, overcoming four walks, striking out five, and giving up just two hits and no runs.
Virginia Tech grabbed leads of 2-0, 4-2, before the Cavaliers rallied to tie the game, but Lewis' blast in the sixth was the game-winning run with the Hokies turning to Manning and their defense to seal their 30th victory of the season. In the top of the ninth, Manning hit the leadoff batter for Virginia, but a fly-ball to centerfielder, Cam Pittman, who was able to double off the base runner trying to tag from first base. After a two-out double put the tying run on second, Clay Grady made a nice play on a groundout to end the game. Also in the game, Ben Watson extended his hitting streak to 18 games.
This was a huge win for the Hokies, and winning the series in the final on Saturday, beginning at 1 o'clock, will give them momentum going into the ACC Tournament next week if they want to try and make a miracle run toward a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Seeding for the conference tournament should be finalized Saturday night after all the games are complete. The Hokies are looking at beginning play on Tuesday.