Hokie ClubLAFAYETTE, La. – In the rubber match of a three-game series at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park, Virginia Tech starting pitcher Ian Seymour struck out 11 Louisiana batters over six innings and the Hokies shut out the Ragin' Cajuns, 3-0, Sunday afternoon to take the road series and even its overall record.
Tech (3-3) was dominant on the mound the entire weekend as the staff combined to allow just one earned run and strike out 41 batters in 26 total innings of work. Seymour continued that trend, scattering two hits and a walk to improve his record to 2-0 on the year. The 11 strikeouts tied his career high, set last year at Miami (April 26 in 7.1 innings) and is the third time he's reached double figures in strikeouts in a start.
The Hokies gave him a two-run lead in the second as Spencer Palmer and Gavin Cross crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Carson Jones and a two-out double by Reagan Teegarden.
Nick Biddison singled to lead off the third and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt. He came home on a Carson Taylor grounder and the Hokies led 3-0.
That was all the run support needed for Tech as Seymour struck out two in every frame except the sixth. Henry Weycker (1.1 innings) and Nathan Starliper (1.2) closed out the game, allowing just one Cajun, in the seventh, to touch third base. Starliper earned his first collegiate save with his effort.
Louisiana (2-6) had two players with multi-hit games – Julian Brock, who had a game-high three hits, and Connor Dupuy with two. Brandon Young tossed the final four frames scoreless for starter Carter Robinson, who suffered the loss.
Quick notes:
- This weekend marks the first ever meeting between the two schools. Tech now leads the series 2-1.
- Coach John Szefc was an assistant coach at Louisiana for six seasons (2003-08).
- Tech is 7-4 in 21 all-time games in the Pelican state.
- This was Tech's first shutout since April 9, 2019 versus Marshall, the last of three last season.
- It's the Hokies first road series win since at Pitt (March 15-17) last year.
Inside the box
- Cross: two hits, team-high third multi-hit game of the year.
- Kevin Madden: double, first of the year (11 in career).
- Seymour: 28th career start for Tech; ninth career win; 11th career quality start.
- Teegarden: double, second of the season (4 in career).
- Tanner Thomas: two hits, first multi-hit game of the year (12 in career); double, first of the season (10).
Up Next:
Tech will return to Blacksburg and turn its attention to a four-game homestand that starts against Radford, now on Tuesday (Feb. 25) due to the weather expected for the area on Wednesday. First pitch is still set for 4 p.m. Bryant will visit English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park for a three-game series over the weekend.