Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech rode outstanding pitching performances from Jesse Hahn and Ben Rowen to a 4-2 victory over Miami in Atlantic Coast Conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at English Field, clinching its first-ever series from the ninth-ranked Hurricanes.
With the win, the Hokies, ranked No. 25 nationally, moved to 23-11 on the season and 8-7 in the ACC. Miami fell to 23-9 overall and 11-4 in conference play. Tech has now won four of its five conference series this season, including their last three. The Hokies now boast four wins over top-10 teams this season after taking two from then-No. 4 Florida State last weekend.
Hahn, who improved to 5-2 on the season, pitched seven innings of five-hit ball and struck out nine Hurricanes. He allowed two runs in the second inning, but settled down after that and surrendered just three hits over his final five frames of work. Rowen, who earned his second win in Friday’s game, picked up his fourth save of the season with two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three Hurricane batters.
Miami starter Jason Santana took the loss to fall to 3-2 after allowing three runs on six hits over six innings.
The Hurricanes got the scoring started in the top of the second inning on a leadoff home run by third baseman Harold Martinez. Left fielder Chris Pelaez then singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Hahn, who then walked right fielder Nate Melendres. After Pelaez was put out at third on a failed sacrifice bunt by designated hitter David Villasuso, Hahn loaded the bases when he hit center fielder Zeke DeVoss. Miami’s second run came from Melendres on a fielder’s choice to first by second baseman Frankie Ratcliff, before Hahn struck out shortstop Stephen Perez to end the threat.
Tech got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when shortstop Tim Smalling hit a two-out home run – his fifth of the year – to left field to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Hokies kept things going in the bottom of the fifth inning with a pair of runs to take a 3-2 advantage. The lead change began with back-to-back one-out singles by shortstop Tony Balisteri and catcher Steve Domecus. Left fielder Buddy Sosnoskie then grounded into a fielder’s choice that retired Domecus at second, but Miami second baseman Frankie Ratcliff’s attempt to complete the double play at first bounced away, allowing Balisteri to race home from third with the tying run. Tech then took the lead when Smalling doubled to deep left-center, driving in Sosnoskie from first.
The Hokies added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning when pinch hitter Chris Kay drove a two-out solo homer – his first of the year – to center field. His blast came off of Hurricane closer Daniel Miranda and was the Hokies' fourth pinch-hit homer of the year.
For the game, Smalling led the Hokies with three hits, including a double and home run. He knocked in two of the Hokies’ four runs. Sosnoskie had two hits for the Hokies, who managed eight hits total. Martinez was the only Miami player with two hits.
The Hokies are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday at English Field against North Carolina A&T. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.