Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Riding the momentum of Cade Hunter's seventh-inning, go-ahead single on Tuesday, the Virginia Tech baseball team broke open its 3-3 game against High Point by plating seven late-inning runs as the Hokies defeated the Panthers, 10-4, at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
In the wake of walks that had been issued to Tanner Schobel and Jack Hurley, Hunter cracked a first-pitch single through the right side, scoring Schobel from second base to give Tech the 4-3 lead. Carson DeMartini followed by plopping another RBI single near the left field line, presenting him with three parts of the cycle after his second-inning double and his sixth-inning triple.
Virginia Tech (7-0) proceeded to tack on three more seventh-inning runs – all on wild pitches – to distance itself from High Point (1-8) for good. The Hokies were benefactors of 12 walks by the Panthers' arms and registered double-digit hits (10) for the seventh consecutive game.
Spotted a second-inning run on a bases-loaded walk, Tech starter Ryan Kennedy collected the first two outs of the third inning before surrendering back-to-back singles that tied the game. Blake Sutton's double to open the fourth inning led to High Point taking the 2-1 lead against Kennedy, who scattered six hits, walked none and struck out two.
Gavin Cross carried the first pitch of the fifth inning to deep center field for a leadoff double, waking up the Hokies' bats in the process. Schobel followed with a base hit through the left side, setting the table for Eduardo Malinowski to deliver the game-tying sacrifice fly.
With both teams trading solitary sixth-inning runs, Jonah Hurney came out to retire the Panthers in order during the seventh inning. Hurney sandwiched two strikeouts around Adam Stuart's eighth-inning homer, earning his first victory of the 2022 season.
Brady Kirtner and Tyler Dean closed the door on High Point during the ninth inning with Dean striking out Tyler Leach on three radar-burning pitches.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will open a three-game series against Wright State on Friday, March 4. First pitch at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Gallery: (3-1-2022) BSB: High Point Game