Hokie ClubCHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With true freshman right-hander Drue Hackenberg toeing six innings on Saturday without conceding an earned run, the Virginia Tech baseball team made history at No. 18 North Carolina, clinching its first away series against the Tar Heels courtesy of its 7-3 win at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium.
Hackenberg improved to 5-0 on the mound after making the sixth start (seventh appearance) of his rookie season. The six-foot-two rookie from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, scattered four hits, struck out four batters and walked one, allowing two unearned runs as the Hokies' defense committed a season high, four errors.
Virginia Tech (17-6, 5-4 ACC) won its seventh consecutive ballgame, including its fifth straight against the ACC and its third in a row against a top-25 opponent, as ranked by D1Baseball. Despite tying their season low with six hits, the Hokies were benefactors of 11 walks by UNC pitchers – three of which plated bases-loaded runs.
Tech broke the game's scoreless tie during the top of the third inning when Carson DeMartini, Nick Biddison and Gavin Cross each drew walks behind hit batsman Sam Tackett. Tanner Schobel pushed the Hokies' lead to 2-0 with his first of two RBI singles while Cade Hunter accepted the fourth walk of the inning to front his side the 3-0 advantage.
After North Carolina (19-8, 5-6 ACC) had earned a run back during the fourth inning, Jack Hurley reinstalled Tech's three-run lead during the fifth inning. With Cross aboard following his second of three walks, Hurley doubled him in down the right field line, extending his hitting streak to 22 consecutive games – two games shy of tying the program's ACC-era record.
Tech traded solitary runs with UNC during the sixth inning before staking a 7-2 lead during the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, Schobel delivered his second run-scoring hit of the game, two batters before Eduardo Malinowski beat out a potential 6-4-3 double play that scored Biddison in the shuffle.
Henry Weycker pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Hokies, despite needing help from Jonah Hurney to close the door on the Tar Heels during the eighth inning. Hurney kept Tech's 7-2 lead in tact during the eighth inning despite facing the bases loaded with none out, though surrendered a run during the ninth inning while grinding through six UNC batters.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will play for the sweep of No. 18 North Carolina on Sunday, April 3. First pitch at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.Gallery: (4-2-2022) BSB: UNC GAME 2