Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – After Virginia Tech baseball's two wins over Virginia to claim the series this weekend, the Hokies clinched the Commonwealth Clash, sponsored by Smithfield, for the first time since 2018.
The score is now 11.5-7.5 in Tech's favor, with the final two points up for grabs taking place May 12-14 on Duke's campus at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The Clash first emerged onto the scene in 2014, with the Cavaliers winning four matchups and the Hokies taking one; the two schools tied in 2017. The 2019-20 matchup was cancelled due to COVID-19. For more information on the rivalry, visit www.hokiesports.com/clash.
This is a historic triumph for Virginia Tech Athletics over Virginia. Help celebrate the Commonwealth Clash victory and keep Hokies' momentum going by making a gift to the Keep Jumping Fund now.
MEN'S SOCCER
The Clash started on Sept. 17, 2021 when the No. 17 Hokies took down the Cavaliers in double overtime. Jacob Labovitz shined for Tech scoring two goals in the game, including the game winner. The win marked Tech's fourth all-time win against Virginia and the second win in two years. The win gave Tech its first point in the Clash.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The women's cross country team won the second point for the Hokies in the ACC Championships on Oct. 29, 2021 led by Lindsey Butler in individuals. The women's group took home a seventh-place finish with 219 points and Butler took 15th overall, leading her to All-ACC honors.
VOLLEYBALL
In its first ACC win of the season, the Virginia Tech volleyball team secured another point in the Clash on Oct. 29, 2021. Cera Powell tied a career-high 17 kills in the matchup and Brie Postema recorded a career-high 47 assists. The Hokies took a 2-1 lead after the third set and ultimately won the match in set five.
FOOTBALL
In a thrilling game, Virginia Tech football defeated Virginia on Nov. 27, 2021 to retain the Commonwealth Cup. Led by then-interim head coach J.C. Price, the Hokies took the 29-24 victory in Charlottesville. The win earned the Hokies a bowl game appearance, their first since 2019 after opting not to go to a bowl in 2020 due to COVID-19.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
After winning both matchups against the Cavaliers on Jan. 18 and Jan. 27, 2022, the Hokies gained another point in the Clash. In the first game, Elizabeth Kitley recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The win moved the team to 5-1 in the ACC for the first time ever. The second game also made some history, as Tech swept Virginia for the first time since 2015-16.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Virginia Tech men's basketball earned half a point in the Clash after defeating Virginia at home on Valentine's Day. The win was the first time since 2017-18 the Hokies beat the Cavaliers in back-to-back seasons. Keve Aluma scored 24 points in the matchup and had a season-high four blocks.
WRESTLING
On Feb. 18, 2022, the Virginia Tech wrestling program secured another point in the Clash after their 10th-straight win over the Cavaliers in Charlottesville. The Hokies were led by No. 3 Mekhi Lewis and No. 14 Hunter Bolen, with both earning bonus point victories. The win also moved the Hokies to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the ACC.
MEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING
In one of their best postseason performances, the Hokies secured another point on Feb. 19, 2022 in the ACC Championships. Tech was led by Youssef Ramadan, who earned the ACC's Most Valuable Swimmer at the meet and earned a gold in the 100 fly and in the 100 free. The Hokies earned 1,054 points in the event, defeating the Cavaliers by just 13 points.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
In a historic ACC Indoor Championship, the Hokies' men's and women's track and field teams each gained a point in the Clash. The two squads each claimed championships, the first time in history that both teams won indoor ACC titles at the same meet. The men won with 97 points and the women tied Duke with 86 points.
SOFTBALL
In a nail-biting final game, the No. 2 Virginia Tech softball team walked off Virginia to earn a point in the Clash. The Hokies had split the two games before with the point riding in the rubber match. Meredith Slaw shined in the final game with four RBIs and a home run to tie the game in the eighth inning. Keely Rochard improved to 18-2 on the year and received the win. Mackenzie Lawter recorded the final base hit to secure the win over the Cavaliers.
BASEBALL
After going 1-1 against the Cavaliers in the first two games of the series, No. 7 Virginia Tech baseball rallied for a comeback win that gave the Hokies the final point in the Commonwealth Clash. Virginia Tech started the game down 4 runs, but a double by Gavin Cross got the Hokies going. The 7-5 win over Virginia not only secured the Commonwealth Clash for Virginia Tech, but also allowed the Hokies to maintain their second place ranking in the ACC standings.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Two points still remain to be won at the ACC Outdoor Championships May 12-14 in Durham, North Carolina.