Tech drops series opener against Pitt, 4-3

BLACKSBURG – Carrying its 2-0 lead into the sixth inning on Friday, the Virginia Tech baseball team missed its chance at securing its first ACC victory of the season as the Hokies stumbled, 4-3, to Pitt at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
 
Virginia Tech (10-6, 0-4 ACC) held the upper hand through five innings, receiving a pair of solo home runs from the back two hitters in its lineup. With winds channeling towards left field, lefty bats Carson DeMartini (nine-hitter) and Nick Holesa (eight-hitter) both delivered opposite-field swings for the Hokies, backing five shutout innings from right-hand starter Griffin Green.
 
However, Pitt (10-8, 1-3 ACC) pulled the rug out from beneath Tech during the top of the sixth inning, hitting back-to-back home runs – once after each of the Hokies' two pitching changes. Ron Washington Jr. homered off Brady Kirtner to tie the game at 2-2, three pitches before Bryce Hulett homered off Jonah Hurney to deliver the Panthers their first lead.
 
Pitt tacked on a critical insurance run during the eighth inning, building on Sky Duff's leadoff single deep in the hole on the left side. After Hurney had walked Washington to put two runners aboard, Kiernan Higgins induced the infield ball that left runners at the corners, setting up Jack Anderson's ensuing sacrifice fly.
 
Tech did not go quietly, nearly tying the game during the bottom of the eighth inning. In the wake of singles by Gavin Cross and Tanner Schobel, Hurley dropped his RBI single into center field, plating Cross from second base to bring the Hokies within a run.
 
Despite Schobel representing the tying run at third base, Cade Hunter was fanned by Pitt reliever Baron Stuart on three pitches – one of six strikeouts he recorded en route to earning his first save of the season.

Matt Gilbertson started and picked up the win for Pitt, striking out seven batters across six innings of work.
 
NOTEWORTHY
• Jack Hurley and Gavin Cross both extended their hitting streaks to 15 and 14 consecutive games, respectively. Hurley registered multiple hits for his third straight appearance and continues to lead the Hokies in batting average (.475).
 
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will chase its first ACC win on Saturday, March 19, when it resumes its weekend series against Pitt. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 3 p.m.Gallery: (3-18-2022) BS: Pittsburgh Game 1