BLACKSBURG - In one of its longest games (by time) on record, the Virginia Tech baseball team was undone by a couple of miscues in its attempt to win the first contest of its three-game ACC series against in-state rival Virginia. A wild pitch in the eighth allowed a tying run to cross the plate and an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt plated the eventual winning run for the Cavaliers as they defeated the Hokies 8-6 in 11 innings on Thursday evening at English Field at Union Park.
Leading 3-0 after the first and 6-2 entering the fifth, Tech (25-26, 8-20 ACC) appeared on its way to victory and with it, would hand its starter Ian Seymour his fifth win of the season. Seymour tossed 5.0 innings, allowed two runs in the third and struck out seven batters, pushing his career total at the school to 151. Meanwhile, his 81 strikeouts in 2019 were the fourth most since the Hokies joined the ACC (2005) and the most since Marc Zecchino struck out 97 in 2011.
Virginia (31-21, 13-15 ACC) cut its deficit down to a single run with three in the sixth, scoring two on a two-out single by Brendan Rivoli, giving him a game-high three on the night.
With two outs in the eighth, Nic Kent doubled and, after Rivoli was intentionally walked, both Cavaliers stole a base and moved into scoring position. Jaison Heard then uncorked a wild pitch as Kent raced home tying the game and Rivoli also tried to score but was tagged out at home - a play that was reviewed and upheld.
Kevin Madden, who led Tech with a career-high five hits in the game, hit a one-out double in the bottom of the ninth which was followed by an intentional walk to Tanner Thomas. Virginia's Kyle Whitten, who improved to 3-1 with the win out of the bullpen, ended the threat with back-to-back strikeouts sending the game into extra innings.
In the 11th, Virginia got its first two men on base and Nate Eikhoff's sacrifice attempt was successful, but an errant throw allowed Cameron Simmons to cross the plate. The Cavaliers added an insurance run as Tech turned a double play.
Madden led off the home half with a single, which was followed by a Thomas single, his second hit of the game. However, Andrew Abbott, who picked up his second save, also got back-to-back strikeouts and a fielder's choice to end the game, which lasted five hours and 30 minutes.
The two teams will be back on the field on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.
Building on a tradition started in 1895, the Commonwealth Clash is a head-to-head points-based competition within the 22 varsity sports in which the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech compete against each other. This weekend's ACC series is presented by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics and the University of Virginia Athletics. To learn more about Virginia529 and the competition, click here.
Fans looking to attend any of the final two games against Virginia, tickets are required for ACC home games this season. CLICK HERE to purchase in advance. For those attending this weekend's games, please visit our GAMEDAY CENTRAL PAGE for more information about parking, prohibited items and an A to Z Guide on English Field at Union Park. It is also worthy to note that this weekend is graduation on the Tech campus and, although parking for the games will not be affected, there may be some extra traffic around the stadium.
Gallery: (5/16/2019) 2019 BASEBALL vs. VIRGINIA GAME ONE