BLACKSBURG – Kevin Madden capped an eight-run fourth inning with a two-out, two-RBI double and helped the Virginia Tech Hokies win their seventh straight game with a 10-5 victory over Marshall in nonconference baseball action at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park Wednesday night.
The win improved Tech's home record to a perfect 6-0 as the Hokies have scored at least 10 runs for the third time in four games and the fourth time overall in Blacksburg. Tech is now 8-3 on the year, while Marshall fell to 1-9-1.
Down 1-0 after the top half, Nick Biddison tied the game with a leadoff home run, his second of the year and the 10th of his career. In the fourth, the Hokies took advantage of three walks, two Marshall errors and a passed ball to plate three – as Tanner Thomas and Reagan Teegarden each had an RBI.
Gavin Cross then singled home Brennan Reback and Madden laced a double into the gap to score Carson Taylor and Cross and Tech led 9-1.
Ryan Okuda, who had a shaky first inning, struck out the side in the second and did not allow a hit over the next three frames, while striking out five in total. Earning the win on the mound, Okuda is 1-0 this season and now 4-1 in his Tech career.
However, Marshall used a walk and three straight singles to cut into its deficit in the sixth and prompted the Hokies to go to their bullpen.
Peyton Alford finished off the frame, Matthew Siverling worked a perfect seventh, Nathan Starliper struck out two in the eighth and Ryan Metz closed the game in the ninth, striking out one.
Quick notes:
- The Hokies are now 29-9 overall against Marshall with a five-game winning streak. They are also 21-4 all-time at home.
- Tech's starting pitchers have combined to strikeout 78 batters in 57.0 innings pitched, are 7-2 on the season with a 2.05 ERA.
- Tech's seven-game winning streak is the longest since the team opened the 2019 season on a seven-game winning streak (Feb. 15-Feb. 26).
- The Hokies have started 6-0 at home for the first time since the team won eight straight to open the 2012 season.
- The seven-game home winning streak (dating back to last season) is the longest since the team won 11 straight from April 28, 2015 through March 4, 2016.
Up Next:
The Hokies start ACC action this weekend, heading out on the road on Thursday and traveling to Atlanta, Georgia this weekend. Tech will take on No. 29 Georgia Tech in a three-game set at Russ Chandler Stadium that starts Friday at 7 p.m.Gallery: (3/4/2020) 2020 BASEBALL vs. MARSHALL