Bryant snaps Tech's nine-game streak with 5-3 win

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The pitching of freshman Peter Kelich and a three-run third inning lifted Bryant University to a 5-3 victory over Virginia Tech Wednesday night at English Field, snapping the Hokies’ nine-game winning streak.

Kelich worked eight strong innings, holding Tech to just five hits and one earned run. The young right-hander closed out his stint with three hitless innings to post his first decision of the season. He struck out five batters and walked three. Mark Andrews pitched the ninth inning, allowing a run before striking out pinch-hitter Andrew Rash with runners at the corners. Andrews ended up striking out the side and earned his second save despite issuing a walk, hitting a batter and allowing an RBI-single to Tech center fielder Sean Ryan.

Tech, which failed to reach double-digit hits for the first time this year, is now 9-3 on the season. Bryant improved to 2-7 with the victory.

A run-scoring single by second baseman Michael Seaborn gave Tech a brief 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. It took Bryant just four batters in the third inning to change things, and by the end of the frame, the Bulldogs had sent nine men to the plate and grabbed a 3-1 advantage. The runs came on an RBI-single by center fielder Nick Campbell and sacrifice flies by Jeff Vigurs and Jamie Skagerlind.

Bryant picked up another run against Tech freshman pitcher Patrick Scoggin in the fourth inning, while the Hokies scored their second run in the fifth when Buddy Sosnoskie reached on a two-base error and eventually scored on a wild pitch. The Bulldogs took advantage of a Tech error in the ninth to tack on an unearned run via an RBI-single off the bat of shortstop David Soltis.

Scoggin, who worked four innings in his first college start, took the loss. Lefty Sean McDermott pitched 3.1 shutout innings in relief, before turning things over to Brandon Fisher to start the eighth. Ben Rowen came on with two outs in the ninth.

Bryant finished the game with 13 hits, including four by second baseman Dylan Stone. Designated hitter Anthony Sosnoskie accounted for two of the Hokies’ six hits.

The Hokies are scheduled to open ACC play on Friday at English Field with a 5:30 p.m., start against Maryland.