BLACKSBURG – Blessed with a pair of five-hit performances on Friday by the top two hitters in its lineup, Nick Biddison and Gavin Cross, the No. 4 nationally-seeded (and region top-seed) Virginia Tech baseball team thumped fourth-seeded Wright State, 15-9, to win its opening game of the 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Regional at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Biddison and Cross both set career highs in the batter's box for Virginia Tech (42-12), which won its first NCAA tournament-opening game since 1997. The Tech duo combined to bat 10-for-11 from the plate, scoring five runs, totaling six RBIs and swiping four bases (three by Biddison) to fuel the Hokies' 19-hit showcase.
Cross made his mark on the game two batters into the first inning, delivering the two-run home run that energized the packed English Field crowd of more than 2,800 strong. Tech's third-year outfielder proceeded to single in the Hokies' third run of the game during the second inning prior to initiating the double steal that allowed Biddison to steal home for the 4-0 lead.
Cade Hunter teed off against Jake Shirk during the bottom of the third inning, denting the batter's eye in center field to shoot Tech out to the 5-0 advantage. Hunter's solo blast broke his tie with Cross at 15 home runs this season, moving him one homer shy of Tanner Schobel (17) for the team lead.
Despite Tech's healthy lead, Wright State (30-26) worked its way back into the game during the top of the fourth inning, registering five consecutive leadoff singles that tightened the score to 5-2. The Raiders managed to chase Drue Hackenberg from the game early during the fifth inning, receiving a two-RBI double from Alec Sayre and a sacrifice fly from Sammy Sass that knotted the game by its halfway point.
With its sweeping big bats, the Hokies turned momentum back into its favor during the bottom of the fifth inning, taking the lead on an RBI double by Carson Jones. Lucas Donlon and Carson DeMartini both reached safely on bunted balls, putting ducks on the pond for Biddison and Cross to belt run-scoring singles.
When the dust had settled, Tech had rallied for five runs to take the 10-5 lead, though Wright State was far from backing off. Julian Greenwell connected on an RBI double against Jonah Hurney, three batters before Zane Harris knocked a two-RBI single off Christian Worley that brought the Raiders within 10-8.
After a small brush up during the sixth inning, Worley kept Wright State at bay, completing three and one-third innings of relief without surrendering the lead. Eduardo Malinowski and Jones traded paired up for back-to-back leadoff doubles to kick off the Hokies' four-run eighth inning, leaving Worley and Ryan Metz more than enough insurance to seal the victory.
NOTEWORTHY
• Virginia Tech's 15 runs on Friday rank as the second most the Hokies have scored during an NCAA tournament game – one shy of the 16 they scored in 2010 against Bucknell (Columbia Regional).
• The Hokies improved to 3-2 at home during the NCAA tournament.
• Nick Biddison tied his career high for stolen bases (three) and continues to lead the team with 21 thefts this year.
UP NEXT
No. 4 Virginia Tech will face third-seeded Columbia on Saturday, June 4, at 7 p.m. for a spot in the final round of the 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Regional. On Friday, the Lions defeated second-seeded [No. 14] Gonzaga, 8-2, to advance in the winner's bracket.
Gallery: (6-4-2022) BSB: NCAA Blacksburg Regional vs. Wright State