Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Crafting a superhero performance during Saturday's Marvel Day theme game, the Virginia Tech baseball team captured the essence of Thor by hammering a season high, six home runs, as the Hokies prevailed, 22-6, against Pitt at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Jack Hurley (3-for-5, five RBIs) and Carson DeMartini (4-for-4, four RBIs) accounted for two home runs apiece as Virginia Tech (11-6, 1-4 ACC) set a program record for runs scored during an ACC regular season game. DeMartini arrived at his second at-bat of the sixth inning needing a triple to successfully hit for the cycle, opting rather to carry a 1-1 pitch from Dylan Lester over the outfield wall for the sixth home run of his rookie season.
Nick Biddison and Cade Hunter homered as well for the Hokies, who also set a season high for extra-base hits (12). Biddison finished 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs while Tanner Schobel and Nick Holesa (two doubles) propelled Tech's red-hot offense with a pair of multi-hit performances.
True freshman right-hander Drue Hackenberg improved to 4-0 through his first five collegiate starts, allowing four runs across six innings of work, striking out four batters while walking none. Hackenberg fell behind during the first inning in the aftermath of Kyle Hess' game-opening, ground-rule double, surrendering 11 hits to the Panthers in total.
Despite Tech plating seven runs across the opening three innings, Pitt (10-9, 1-4 ACC) worked itself back into the game, relying on home runs by CJ Funk and Jack Anderson to close within 7-4 by the sixth inning.
However, the Hokies broke the game open with their nine-run sixth inning, during which they brought 12 batters to the plate and tallied seven hits – including two doubles and three home runs.
With the game out of reach, Tech batted around for a second time during the eighth inning, tacking on five runs against the Panthers' bullpen.
NOTEWORTHY
• Sophomore outfielder Jack Hurley extended his hitting streak to 16 consecutive season-opening games.
• Third-year outfielder Gavin Cross witnessed his 14-game hitting streak end, despite reaching on two walks (one intentional).
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will pursue the series victory against Pitt during the weekend rubber match on Sunday, March 20. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Gallery: (3-19-2022) BSB: Pitt Game 2