BLACKSBURG – Staging the third and decisive game of its annual intrasquad Fall World Series at English Field on Friday, the Virginia Tech baseball team witnessed Orange triumph over Maroon, two categories to one, in addition to Orange winning Game 3 by the 5-3 score line.
FALL WORLD SERIES SCORING
To win the Fall World Series, Maroon or Orange must win at least two of the following three categories: (a) Game 3 score, (b) series run differential and (c) series points. Teams earn one series point for every inning won on the scoreboard. If an inning is tied, no points are awarded and the value of points to be awarded during the next inning increases by one.
In Game 1, Orange defeated Maroon, 9-7, despite Maroon controlling the 5-2 lead in series points. Orange then prevailed, 5-2, during Game 2 with both teams earning three series points apiece.
Despite Thursday's washout, Orange received one bonus series point from the team's practice activities.
On Friday, Orange won the Fall World Series by coupling its 5-3 victory during Game 3 with its +7 series run differential. Maroon held on to win the series points category, 12-8.
GAME 3
Toeing the rubber for Maroon, Griffin Green set the game's early tone by posting three shutout innings. The sophomore right-hander struck out five of the 11 batters he faced, working around a first-inning bunt single by sophomore Jack Hurley and a third-inning double by fifth-year senior Brennan Reback.
Maroon jumped ahead, 2-0, during the bottom of the second inning, manufacturing runs around hits by third-year outfielder Gavin Cross and freshman infielder Warren Holzemer (Burke, Virginia). Intentionally giving himself up on the base path, Holzemer allowed for teammate Sam Tackett to score the inning's insurance run as Maroon scooped up three series points.
With third-year catcher Cade Hunter aboard during the bottom of the third inning, sophomore Tanner Schobel stroked a base hit up the middle to set the stage for Maroon to add to its leads. Hunter soon crossed the plate during his double steal with Schobel, clinching the series points category for Maroon while raising its game lead to 3-0.
Fighting back immediately, Orange rallied for three game-tying runs during the top of the fourth inning. Fifth-year transfer Eduardo Malinowski (Pennsylvania) opened the four-hit inning with a bloop double to right field, prompting the offensive spark that Orange needed to work itself back into contention.
Flashing the leather on 4-6-3 double play during the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman infielder Christian Martin (Amherst, Virginia) delivered the leadoff triple that ultimately won Orange the series. With runners at the corners, Orange received two run-scoring hits from rookies Carson DeMartini (Virginia Beach, Virginia) and Scott McDonough (Henrico, Virginia) that set the final score at 5-3.
Fifth-year left-hander Sean Fisher closed the door for Orange during the bottom of the seventh inning, initiating a 1-4-3 double play on a comebacker to the mound.