Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. --The Virginia Tech Hokies took a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 6-3 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday. The series is now tied at one game apiece, setting up Sunday's rubber match at 6 p.m. from English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. The game will also be televised by the ACC Network.
Junior Anthony Simonelli (5-1) started on the mound and picked up the win for Virginia Tech (23-16, 16-13 ACC). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out seven. Junior Shane Connolly also made an impact on the mound for the Hokies, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
Freshman Tanner Schobel led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBIs. Sophomore Kevin Madden provided a standout day at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Freshman Fritz Genther also contributed, going 1-for-3 for Virginia Tech with a walk and two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Virginia Tech put together a three-run frame, culminating in a run-scoring single from Schobel.
The Hokies then held the Cavaliers scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Virginia Tech scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of Genther, which brought the score to 6-0 in favor of the Hokies. Virginia put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Virginia Tech still held on for the 6-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Madden picked up three base knocks in the game for Virginia Tech.
» Simonelli struck out seven Cavaliers hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hokies had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Cavaliers 3-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Simonelli put together seven innings (career high) of two-run ball for the Hokies.
» The Hokies out-hit the Cavaliers at an 11-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers limited Virginia to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 37 Virginia hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 10.
» The Hokies drew four walks from Virginia pitching.
» Schobel led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
» Virginia was led offensively by freshman Kyle Teel, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
» Sophomore Matt Wyatt led the Cavaliers pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.
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