Tech faces third straight top five program at home

Game notes in PDF

The series: Tech continues its 120th season of baseball this weekend with a three-game ACC series against No. 5 Virginia, the third straight home series for the Hokies against a team ranked nationally in the top five, and the fourth overall against a top 15 opponent at English Field. Friday's game features the first ever Purple Out game - see more details here.

Facing the Cavaliers: The Hokies have faced Virginia 168 times in their history, which trails only Tuesday’s opponent VMI in most games played against any one team (175). Tech’s overall mark is 78-90, but own a 40-31 record in games played at home, 12-12 at English Field.

Facing the nation’s best: With this series against another top five team, it will mark the first time Tech will host three teams ranked fifth or better in its history. Only twice before have the Hokies hosted three teams in the top 10 - in 2009: No. 1 UNC, No. 3 GT and No. 10 UVa; and 2011: No. 1 UVa, No. 8 FSU and No. 8 GT. It will mark the fourth time the Hokies will face three teams ranked in the top five in a single season, also doing it in 2010, 2008 and 2007.

Doing it first: With this weekend’s series, the Hokies become the first team in the country this season to face three top five opponents (ranked in top five in at least three of the four major polls). Only five teams in the nation have faced top five teams twice - Auburn, Maryland, Mississippi State, Missouri and Washington.

Knocking off a top five team: Tech has won a series against a top five opponent three times in its history, and two have been against No. 4 Florida State (at FSU in 2010 and this season). Tech’s other series win was at No. 3 Georgia Tech, also in 2010. Hence, the Hokies won their first ever series over a top five opponent at English Field with their win over the Seminoles.

Links: Follow live stats all weekend long on hokiesports.com and get game updates via twitter @VT_Baseball. All three games are available on All-Access, with video and audio links above, or if in the area, they can be heard on SuperSports 101.7 FM.