Links: 2021 All-ACC Academic Baseball Team
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Top performers on the diamond and in the classroom this season, three members of the Virginia Tech baseball team have been named to the 2021 All-ACC Academic Team, as announced by the conference on Thursday.
Senior pitcher Peyton Alford, junior pitcher Shane Connolly and freshman outfielder Gavin Cross were recognized among the league's class of academic and athletic stars. Each Hokie celebrated in their first such selection to the team.
Pursuing his master's degree in agriculture and life sciences, Alford held the role as Tech's Friday starter, leading the Hokies in starts (14), innings pitched (68.0) and strikeouts (91). The left-hander began March with consecutive 10-strikeout performances against North Carolina and Florida State, later notching a seven-inning, eight-strikeout quality start in April at NC State.
Connolly earned six saves from eight chances across his 15 relief appearances, also making six ACC starts. The master's candidate in business administration posted the second most strikeouts (81) on the Hokies' staff behind Alford and issued 14 walks, ranking among the top 40 NCAA Division I pitchers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.79).
Cross made the most of his first full collegiate season, batting .345 and slugging .621 with 13 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 35 RBIs to lead Tech at the plate. Majoring in consumer studies, the six-foot-three outfielder took home All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Freshmen Team consideration prior to suiting up this summer for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.