BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech baseball program welcomes ETSU to English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park for its 2020 home opener with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. Gates will open at 2:30, and, as always, admission to Hokies' nonconference regular season home games is free of charge.
Virginia Tech (0-2) vs. ETSU (3-0) – February 18, 2020 – 4 p.m.
English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park – Blacksburg, Virginia
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Quick notes about today's game
Hokies versus ETSU
- Today's contest against ETSU will be the 57th game all-time between the two schools and is the first of two scheduled meetings for the Hokies against the Buccaneers this season. Tech will travel to ETSU on April 8.
- Overall, the Hokies hold a 38-18 (67.9%) edge versus ETSU and are slightly better in games played at home, holding a 23-7 (76.7%) advantage.
- Last year, the Hokies won both games against the Buccaneers - winning their home opener 9-3 on Feb. 19 and were 4-2 victors on April 10 in Johnson City, Tenn.
- The Hokies have won four straight against ETSU at home, last losing to them on Feb. 24, 2009 by a 7-3 score, and are 8-1 overall since that loss. The lone defeat was 7-4 on April 18, 2017 on the road.
- The series began on April 11, 1967 as Tech registered a 5-3 win in Blacksburg, but lost 12-4 in Johnson City just a month later (May 10).
Success in home openers and at home in February
- Since the 2010 season, Tech is 8-2 in home openers and have won four straight. In those last four, the Hokies have outscored their opponents by a 30-5 count and have tossed two shutouts.
- Tech's last home-opening loss was back on March 4, 2015 when they lost to the College of Charleston 8-3. The last time the Hokies lost a home opener in the month of February was in 2013, a 7-3 loss to Temple on Feb. 23.
- Overall, in program history in February, Tech holds a 111-58 record (65.7%), but when it comes to playing in Blacksburg during the month, the team is far better.
- The Hokies have posted a 27-3 record (90.0%) in home games played in the month. Tech has won 13 straight dating back to that 2013 home opener and included a program-tying best four wins last year - the team also won four at home in February 2009.
- Lastly, this will be the earliest home opener for the Hokies since their first season of baseball. Tech played Newports in Blacksburg on Feb. 2, 1892 and had not played a home game earlier then Feb. 21 before last year.
Some new names to get familiar with
- Tech opened 2020 over the weekend in Conway, S.C. and saw 20 new players on its roster from a season ago. Four players not on the 2019 squad started both games, while a total of nine new Hokies saw action.
- Juniors Brennan Reback (CF) and Spencer Palmer (1B) along with freshmen Gavin Cross (RF) and Fritz Genther (SS) each started both games, while Carson Jones played in both with one start (LF) and Cade Hunter made a start behind the plate.
- On the mound, junior Anthony Simonelli was the Game 2 starter and shined (5.0IP/6K) with freshmen Noah Johnson and Henry Weycker each striking out two in their collegiate debuts on Saturday.