MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Uncorking its mechanical offense midway through Saturday afternoon's affair, the No. 14 Virginia Tech baseball team rallied for 11 unanswered runs against College of Charleston as the Hokies thumped the Cougars, 12-3, to even the series at The Ballpark at Patriots Point.
Five of the nine starters in its lineup bagged multiple RBIs as Virginia Tech (1-1) overcame its 3-1 deficit by posting crooked numbers during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Rookie designated hitter Garrett Michel went 3-for-4 to lead the Hokies' bats, doubling to open their five-run seventh inning that put the game out of reach.
Preseason All-American right-hand starter Drue Hackenberg shut out College of Charleston (1-1) through four innings, escaping a bases-loaded situation during the bottom of the second inning. Hackenberg conceded the game-tying double to Joseph Mershon during the bottom of the fifth inning and was lifted after 85 pitches for reliever Henry Weycker, who set a career high with 10 strikeouts during the final four and one-third innings of play.
Michel – a freshman from Denver, North Carolina – put Tech ahead, 1-0, during the top of the second inning when his first career hit batted in Jack Hurley from third base. With Hackenberg holding Charleston to two hits through the game's opening four innings (four strikeouts), the Hokies' one-run lead stayed intact until Mershon's fifth-inning double led the Cougars to plate three runs and take the 3-1 advantage.
Responding with two outs during the top of the sixth inning, sophomore Carson DeMartini kept the inning alive for Tech with his base hit up the middle, setting the stage for Hurley to introduce drama. Missing the game-tying home run by inches, Hurley's high fly ball was misplayed in left center by the Cougars' outfield, prompting him to triple and score when Trotter Harlan's entry throw bounced errantly short of the infield.
Behind Michel's leadoff double during the top of the seventh inning, the Hokies plated five runs on four hits to stretch with their 8-3 lead. With the bases loaded, fifth-years David Bryant and Chris Cannizzaro notched consecutive two-RBI hits – Cannizzaro doubling down the left field line – while Carson Jones added an RBI single to hand Weycker healthy insurance.
Tech bookended its four-run eighth inning with RBI singles by DeMartini and Michel, all but capping the Hokies' 12-hit afternoon.
Trey Pooser – Charleston's 2021 All-CAA Second Team right-hand pitcher – started and kept the Hokies to three runs (one earned) through five and two-thirds innings on the mound.
UP NEXT
No. 14 Virginia Tech will play for the series victory against College of Charleston on Sunday, Feb. 19. First pitch between the Hokies and the Cougars at The Ballpark at Patriots Point is scheduled for 1 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Tickets remain on sale to Virginia Tech's five ACC home series, beginning with the Hokies' ACC-opening series against Boston College (March 10-12). Purchase your tickets today.