Hokie ClubTUSCON, Ariz. – Virginia Tech starting pitcher Justin Wright has been named a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball and Louisville Slugger, it was announced Monday.
Wright recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts during a complete-game, 6-2 win over Georgia Tech last Thursday at the ACC Championship in Greensboro, N.C. In throwing his second complete game of the season and the fourth of his career, Wright helped the 18th-ranked Hokies tame the sixth-ranked Yellow Jackets, who were second in the nation in home runs entering the tournament. It was Virginia Tech’s third win over Georgia Tech this year, and its eighth-win over a top-10 team.
Wright, who was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team for his efforts, out-dueled Georgia Tech starting pitcher and first-team All-ACC member Deck McGuire. The junior left-hander’s 15 strikeouts not only topped his old career-high of 10, but fell just three shy of both the tournament and Virginia Tech single-game records of 18. By fanning 15 Yellow Jackets, he equaled the most strikeouts by a Hokie since Ryan Kennedy struck out 15 against Navy on Feb. 20, 2005. The Montclair, Va., native allowed just two runs on four hits and two walks, while improving his record to 8-4.
Wright and the Hokies will open play at the NCAA Regional in Columbia, S.C., on Friday at 2 p.m., against The Citadel.