Hokie ClubCONWAY, S.C. – After coming out on the wrong side of two lopsided scores earlier in the weekend, the Virginia Tech baseball team turned the tables and cruised to a 14-3 victory over West Virginia on Sunday to close out its play at the Caravelle Resort Tournament on the campus of Coastal Carolina.
Baseball America preseason All-American Jesse Hahn turned in the best start of his career, coasting through a career-high seven scoreless innings to earn the win for the Hokies (1-2). Hahn only allowed three balls out of the infield in his time on the mound, striking out four and inducing 13 ground-ball outs. He only allowed five hits, all of which were singles and two of which were infield singles. He walked none and struck out four.
Hahn had plenty of help from his offense, which pounded out 18 hits, including five doubles and two home runs. Shortstop Tim Smalling went 5-for-5 with three runs scored, while second baseman Michael Seaborn was a triple shy of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Catcher Steve Domecus drove in a career-high five runs.
West Virginia (0-3) starting pitcher Jared Hill took the loss after recording just one out and allowing five runs on five hits in the first inning. Third baseman Grant Buckner paced the Mountaineer offense by going 2-for-4 with two-run homer.
The Hokies wasted no time in jumping out to a lead in support of Hahn, scoring five times in the bottom of the first inning. Tech tallied five hits in the frame, including a two-run single by catcher Anthony Sosnoskie, an RBI double by third baseman Ronnie Shaban, and run-scoring base hits from both Seaborn and first baseman Matt Blow.
Tech added two runs in the second to go up 7-0 thanks to a pair of doubles. Smalling got things started with a single before moving to third on a two-bagger by left fielder Austin Wates, and Domecus then doubled down the left field line to bring both runners home.
Seaborn hit the Hokies’ first home run of 2010 when he led off the third inning with a solo shot to left field. Domecus got a home run of his own in the fourth inning, crushing a two-run bomb to left-center field to bring home Smalling and give the Hokies a 10-0 lead.
Tech added four insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh to build a 14-0 cushion. Domecus and pinch hitter Chris Kay each contributed sacrifice flies, while Smalling and Wates each delivered RBI singles.
An RBI single by Brady Wilson and the two-run homer by Buckner, both in the eighth inning off of Tech reliever Brandon Fisher, helped West Virginia to avoid the shutout.
The Hokies will return to action next weekend with a three-game set at Charleston Southern. First pitch on Friday is set for 2 p.m.