BLACKSBURG – The Orange side had Game 3 of the 2018 Maroon & Orange World Series all wrapped up – with a 7-6 victory Thursday afternoon at English Field at Union Park. However, the squad was looking to take the overall series by run differential as it loaded the bases in the final inning with one out.
Maroon had won the first two games by an identical 3-2 score and was clinging to a 12-11 lead in the overall score. Jack Dellinger was on in his second inning of relief and was facing last year's fall world series hero Andrew Webb.
Dellinger struck him out and the next batter Kevin Madden, as well, to preserve the series win for Maroon, despite Orange erasing a five-run first inning deficit to take the final game.
After seeing Orange strand the bases loaded in the top of the first, Maroon also had the bases loaded with two outs in the home half. Nick Holesa tripled to right center clearing the bases and scored on a passed ball to make it 4-0. Matt Ballance followed with an inside-the-park home run capping the frame.
In the fourth, Orange loaded the bases with one out and scored its first run when Kerry Carpenter drew a walk before Luke Horanski made it a 5-4 game with a bases-clearing double.
After Holesa scored on a wild pitch to add an insurance run for Maroon, the Orange side took a one-run lead with three in the top of the fifth. An error allowed one run, another scored on a passed ball and Madden, who was the only Hokie to have a multi-hit game, singled home a third to make it 7-6.
The series ended the fall for the Hokies, who will open the 2019 season on Feb. 15 at Stetson, while their home opener at English Field at Union Park is set for Feb. 19 versus ETSU.