CONWAY, S.C. – In the first game of the second day of the 2020 Brittain Resorts Baseball at the Beach tournament held at Springs Brooks Stadium, Virginia Tech outhit its opposition once again, but free bases hurt the Hokies for a second straight game in the Hokies' 7-5 loss to UNC Greensboro despite a late rally by Tech.
Trailing 7-2 entering the home half of the seventh, the Hokies mounted a comeback scoring once in the seventh on a Carson Taylor RBI single and struck for two more in the eighth on a Cade Hunter two-run home run which pulled them to within a pair.
In the ninth, Brennan Reback, who had three hits in the game, singled to lead off the frame and Taylor reached on a one-out single, his third hit as well, to put the tying run on first. However, UNCG closer Alex Hoppe ended the game with a double-play liner to second to secure his team's first win of the season.
Hunter led the Tech offense with a 3-for-4 afternoon, adding a double and a team-high three RBI to his totals. Reagan Teegarden also had a double in the game while Nick Biddison walked twice and plated Taylor in the fourth with a sacrifice fly - a bizarre play that started with Taylor at second. UNCG right fielder Coleman Sawyer caught the ball while crashing into the wall. Taylor tagged and raced home from second as Sawyer tried to flip the ball to his center fielder for a relay, but it was too late.
UNCG (1-1) took a 2-0 lead after its at-bats in the fourth, as the first of three of its batters who either walked or were hit by a pitch came across the plate. In Friday's 7-5 loss to San Diego State, four of its batters who walked would score. However, the big blow for the Spartans was a three-run home run for Hogan Windish that sparked a four-run seventh frame and pushed their advantage to five.
Anthony Simonelli went 5.0 frames and struck out six in his Tech debut, allowing two runs on four hits, but the bullpen combined to allow six hits and five runs over the sixth through eighth innings. Also making their Hokies debut on the mound were Henry Weycker and Noah Johnson, who each struck out two batters, with Johnson hurling a scoreless ninth.
Tech (0-2) returns to the field Sunday for the final game of the tournament and will face the host Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. First pitch is set for a 3 p.m. The Hokies will then return to Blacksburg and get ready for their home opener which is set for Tuesday against ETSU. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Gallery: (2/15/2020) 2020 BASEBALL VS. UNC GREENSBORO