BLACKSBURG – Despite an early five-run lead, the Virginia Tech baseball team needed a late run to fend off a Richmond comeback attempt. With the bases loaded in the eighth frame, Nick Biddison scored on a passed ball to break a 6-6 tie and Jonah Seagears added an insurance run as the Hokies won their 10th game of the season with an 8-6 victory over the Spiders on Tuesday afternoon at English Field at Union Park.
Tech (10-5) jumped out to a quick lead, scoring two runs in the first frame and adding a four spot in the third. Carson Taylor registered both of his hits and runs scored in the span as did Kevin Madden, who doubled in a run in the third to make it 4-1.
Two batters later, Nick Owens singled home Madden and Biddison to make it 6-1 as the Hokies appeared on their way to victory.
However, Richmond (8-3) scored single runs in the fifth and sixth as leadoff doubles came around to score to cut its deficit to three. In the seventh, nine Spiders came to the plate and three of them scored. The key hit was an Anthony Forte two-RBI single, which gave him a game-high three RBI.
Still with the bases loaded and two outs, Zach Brzykcy struck out Justin Cook to end the frame and avoid Richmond from taking its first lead of the contest.
In the bottom of the eighth, Biddison led off with single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and the Spiders went to their bullpen. Brian Craven walked the next two Hokies to load the bases before another pitching change.
Kerry Carpenter was at the plate when Biddison scored on a passed ball. He then drove home pinch runner Seagears to push the home team's lead to a pair.
Connor Yoder, in his second inning of relief, issued a two-out walk in the ninth but got Forte swinging to end the game and pick up his first collegiate win.
Tech notes
Tech improves to 71-72-2 all-time against Richmond, and is unbeaten against the Spiders in the last eight meetings (7-0-1).
The last time the two teams met, it ended in a 10-10 tie in 10 innings – a game played in Richmond in 2014. The last game in Blacksburg was 2007.
The Hokies are 34-30 against Richmond at English Field at Union Park.
Tech's 71 wins over the Spiders are the fourth most over any program in school history.
Up Next
The Hokies and Spiders will play one more time at English Field at Union Park on Wednesday, with a scheduled first pitch of 4 p.m.