BLACKSBURG – Pairing 15 hits with three composed pitching performances on Saturday, the Virginia Tech baseball team bounced back in a big way against Wright State as the Hokies defeated the Raiders, 9-3, to even the weekend series at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
For the second time in a Tech uniform, fifth-year infielder Eduardo Malinowski finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, compiling a 4-for-4 day at the plate to go with his two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Malinowski connected on his team leading, sixth home run during the bottom of the fifth inning – a solo shot that marked his fifth home run within a six-game stretch.
After surrendering two first-inning runs to the visitors, Virginia Tech (8-1) rallied for three runs during the second inning to take its first and final lead. Cade Hunter followed Malinowski's leadoff double down the left field line with one of his own to deep center field, doing so on the first pitch he saw from right-hander Jake Shirk.
Two pitches later, Cade Swisher powered a two-run home run to left field for his first hit of the 2022 season, pushing the Hokies in front, 3-2, after two innings.
Gavin Cross kept Tech's bats hot during the third inning, driving a one-out double into the right field corner to set up another scoring opportunity. Sure enough, Malinowski soon brought Cross home with his RBI single into right field, giving southpaw starter Ryan Okuda another insurance run to work with.
Okuda settled into a groove after falling behind during the first inning, recovering to retire a streak of 11 consecutive batters into the fifth inning. The Tech veteran managed to record four strikeouts across five innings of work, improving to 2-0 on the season while scattering three hits and allowing two runs (one earned).
Jonah Hurney effectively closed the door on Wright State (1-7) during his two innings of relief, escaping trouble in the seventh inning with help from replay review. Alec Sayre appeared to hit the game-tying, three-run home run for the Raiders over the left field foul pole, though the call was dramatically overturned and declared a foul ball, allowing Hurney to survive danger.
Hunter earned his second RBI of the game on his seventh-inning sacrifice fly, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Brady Kirtner closed by sandwiching three strikeouts around Tech's three-run eighth inning, during which the Hokies brought nine batters to the plate.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech and Wright State will meet for the weekend rubber match on Sunday, March 6. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Gallery: (3-5-2022) BSB: Wright State Game 2