BLACKSBURG, Va. --The No. 22 Virginia Tech Hokies broke through after a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning to beat the VMI Keydets 7-5 Tuesday.
Sophomore Graham Firoved (2-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (21-12). The right-hander went 1.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit, allowing three walks and striking out three. Senior Jaison Heard also made an impact on the mound for the Hokies, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts.
In the batter's box, the Hokies were led by freshman TJ Rumfield, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and five RBIs. Freshman Gavin Cross compiled a standout performance as well, going 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Freshman Jack Hurley also chipped in for Virginia Tech, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Cross put Virginia Tech on the board with a two-out solo home run off freshman JT Inskeep.
The Hokies lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 4-1. Virginia Tech scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of Rumfield, which brought the score level at 4-4.
VMI broke that tie and grabbed a 5-4 lead heading into the seventh, when Virginia Tech grabbed the advantage at 7-5. The Hokies scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer from Rumfield that scored Hurley and Cross. The score remained 7-5 for the rest of the game, as Virginia Tech held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Rumfield drove in five runs for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 41 VMI hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Hokies drew four walks from VMI pitching.
» Rumfield led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs.
» VMI was led offensively by freshman Trey Morgan, who went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Ty Barker led the Keydets pitching staff, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
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