BLACKSBURG – Hammering seven home runs – part of its trio of ACC-era, record-tying batting performances on Friday night – the Virginia Tech baseball team chalked a mammoth series-opening victory against No. 21 NC State, earning the 21-10 win at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Gavin Cross, Cade Hunter and Carson DeMartini each homered twice to lead the Hokies, who also received a three-run homer from Conor Hartigan during the team's six-run third inning. In total, Tech's seven home runs tied for its largest output since joining the ACC in 2005, matching its seven-homer showcase against Niagara in 2011.
Virginia Tech (19-7, 6-5 ACC) collected its ninth win from its last 10 games, eclipsing 20 runs during an ACC game for the second time this season. The Hokies scored during each of their first five offensive innings before blowing the game open with their 11-run seventh inning that tied the program's highest single-inning scoring output during its ACC tenure.
Sophomore right-hander Griffin Green tossed 100-plus pitches for the first time during his Tech career (107), allowing four runs across his career-long, seven-inning start. Green registered five strikeouts against the Wolfpack, scattering six hits while walking three batters.
Jack Hurley needed four at-bats before doubling into left field to extend his hitting streak to 25 consecutive games, setting the program's new ACC-era record. Hurley continues to chase Tim Buheller's 1985 record for hitting streak in the Tech annals, set at 32 games.
Cross went 4-for-4 with four run-scoring hits to pace the Hokies, matching DeMartini for the team lead with five RBIs. Hunter went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBIs while Nick Biddison batted 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot with a double, three runs scored and two RBIs.
Eduardo Malinowski caught a hitter's break during the bottom of the third inning when his fly ball to right field became lost in the swirling wind and rain, dropping for a lucky triple. Malinowski also singled Biddison home during the first inning to push Tech out to the 1-0 lead, finishing 2-for-5 at the plate.
NC State's Logan Adams was ejected along with head coach Elliott Avent midway through the seventh inning. After Adams had conceded the two-run homer to Cross that put the Hokies in front, 14-4, he threw high and inside to Tanner Schobel, prompting immediate ejection without warnings having been issued.
Tech's 11-run rally during the seventh inning lasted approximately 46 minutes of game time, featuring 17 plate appearances, six hits, six walks, two hit batsmen and a balk.
NOTEWORTHY
• Virginia Tech has won four of its last five games against D1Baseball top 25 opponents.
• The Hokies' 21 runs on Friday marked the most Tech had scored against NC State during series history, surpassing the 20 runs Tech scored to defeat the Wolfpack on April 18, 1940.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will play for its first-ever series victory against NC State on Saturday, April 10. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 3 p.m.Gallery: (4-8-2022) BSB: NC State Game 1