BLACKSBURG – In its first exhibition of the 2019 fall season, the Virginia Tech baseball team defeated the Fieldhouse Pirates Monday afternoon at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park as many of the newcomers to the Hokies' program had big nights at the plate and on the mound.
Tech jumped out to a six-run lead in the first frame and scored in every inning except the fifth and the ninth.
Freshmen Fritz Genther and Gavin Cross led the Hokies with three RBI each, as Genther knocked two in with a triple in the first and added an RBI double in the fourth. In all, he led Tech with three hits and was one of six Hokies that crossed the plate twice.
Junior transfer Brennan Reback scored four times for the Hokies, as he went 1-for-1 at the plate, drew five walks and stole a team-high three bases. Cross, who also started the game on the mound, had an RBI double in the first after striking out one in a scoreless top of the frame.
Out of the bullpen, Nathan Starliper (two strikeouts), Mike Grupe (one) and Ryan Gleason (four) each tossed two scoreless innings, while Samuel Rochard struck out two in one scoreless inning. Noah Johnson and Ryan Metz each struck out the side in an inning of work, with Metz closing out the game.
Returning Hokies with solid nights at the plate included Kevin Madden (2 hits, 2 RBI), Carson Taylor (2 hits, including a double, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Reagan Teegarden, who hit the only home run of the night, a two-run shot.
Up Next:
Tech will play its second exhibition game of the fall on Friday afternoon against Florence-Darlington Technical College. First pitch from English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is set for 3:30 p.m.