BLACKSBURG – The Orange team took a 2-1 lead in the Virginia Tech baseball's Fall World Series after jumping out early and hanging on for a 10-7 victory at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park Tuesday afternoon.
Orange scored four runs in both the first and fourth innings and held a nine-run advantage after five frames. Highlighting the squad's offense were Kevin Madden, Gavin Cross and Tanner Thomas, who each had two hits for their team.
Cross and Jonah Seagears each crossed the plate three times, including Seagears stealing home, while Madden scored twice. Despite not getting a hit, Cade Hunter led the team with three RBI, which included a pair of sacrifice flies.
Meanwhile on the mound, Mike Grupe (3.0 innings, two strikeouts), Nolan Wilson (1.0, 1) and Samuel Rochard (1.2, 2) kept Maroon off the board through 5.2 innings, limiting them to just six hits and a walk over the span.
However, Maroon fought back starting in the bottom of the sixth with two outs when as Carson Taylor smacked a two-out, two-run double to spark his team's comeback attempt. In all, Taylor was 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI.
Maroon scored three times in the sixth and four times in the final frame, but came up short. Brennan Reback, Reagan Teegarden and Xander Hamilton each had two hits for Maroon, while Reback and Matt Ballance each scored twice.
Up Next:
The Hokies' Fall World Series continues Friday, Nov. 1 with Game 4 starting at 2:30 p.m. with Game 5 set for Monday, Nov. 4. All games will be played at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.