Virginia Tech (12-7, 1-5 ACC)
vs. VMI (13-8, 0-0 Southern)
Wednesday, March 22
English Field at AUBP
4 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – Diving back into midweek action, the Virginia Tech baseball team (12-7, 1-5 ACC) will make its return to English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park on Wednesday, March 22, when it matches up against VMI (13-8, 0-0 Southern) for a non-conference affair.
Wednesday's game between the Hokies and the Keydets will air live on ACC Network Extra with coverage beginning at 4 p.m. Fans may also listen to Wednesday's game as called on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
• Tuesday: Kiernan Higgins (1-1, 7.88 ERA) vs. James Newsome (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
HAMMERIN' HEADLINES
- Virginia Tech's streak of placing in D1Baseball's top 25 rankings has ended after 14 consecutive poll cycles, stretching back to April 11, 2022. The Hokies' latest run, encompassing their run to the 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Super Regional, ranks as the program's longest uninterrupted stay in D1Baseball's top 25 poll since the outlet's rankings debut in 2015.
- Despite dropping from the nation's leading polls this week, Tech's five most recent defeats have been earned against surging programs. On Monday, Boston College (14-3, 4-2 ACC) jumped to No. 16 per D1Baseball's rankings while Miami (14-6, 5-1 ACC) leaped to No. 17.
- Entering this week, Virginia Tech ranked No. 44 nationally in strength of schedule, placing fifth among ACC programs.
- Tech began the week ranked sixth among NCAA Division I programs in fielding percentage (.986), trailing only fourth-place Virginia among ACC sides. The Hokies have committed three errors during their last nine games and only one during their four midweek games (.994 fielding percentage).
- Virginia Tech is equipped with the nation's eighth best slugging offense (.580) and the second best within the ACC, trailing only NC State (.582). Junior outfielder Eddie Eisert (.683 slugging percentage) leads the team with six home runs and is one of four Hokies who are slugging north of .600 alongside Chris Cannizzaro (.708), Clay Grady (.675) and Garrett Michel (.673).
- Fourth-year junior outfielder Carson Jones rides a hot streak into Wednesday's midweek affair against VMI. Since opening ACC play on March 10, Jones has gone 7-for-18 (.389 batting average) with two doubles and three home runs, leading or co-leading the Hokies in runs (seven) and RBIs (seven).
- Redshirt-sophomore reliever Brady Kirtner has opened the 2023 season by logging nine consecutive scoreless, hitless outings on the mound. Kirtner tied his season high in strikeouts (three) for the third time during Friday's series opener at Miami.
MIDWEEK MANIA
- Virginia Tech has won six consecutive series meetings against VMI, dating back to the teams' 2018 season split.
- Since joining the ACC, the Hokies have compiled a 17-5 record against the Keydets, including an 11-2 mark at English Field (won five straight).
- Last season, Tech's 13-4 victory against VMI in Lexington was highlighted by catcher Cade Hunter's 5-for-5 night featuring his double, two home runs, four runs scored, five RBIs, walk and stolen base. Three weeks later in Blacksburg, the Hokies overcame deficits of 5-0 and 6-5 to knock off the Keydets, 9-6.
- Virginia Tech is 4-0 during midweek games this season with one win against the Southern Conference, having defeated ETSU, 15-5, on Feb. 21. ETSU placed ahead of VMI in both the 2023 SoCon coaches and media polls.
- Considering their four midweek games this season, Tech has outscored its opponents by the combined 61-15 margin. The Hokies have batted .408 and slugged .688 with 11 doubles, three triples and nine home runs while mastering a 3.75 ERA and a .231 opposing batting average.
- Clay Grady (.875 batting average, 7-for-8), Carson DeMartini (.643, 9-for-14) and Chris Cannizzaro (.524, 11-for-21) rank as Tech's leading midweek hitters. Among pitchers, Kiernan Higgins and Jacob Exum co-lead the Hokies with four scoreless innings of work while Matthew Siverling (eight), Tyler Dean (six) and Andrew Sentlinger (five) have posted the highest strikeout tallies.
- The Hokies have won 13 consecutive regular season midweek games, dating back to March 15, 2022 (5-2 defeat at James Madison).
- Tech has also prevailed during 15 consecutive regular season midweek games at English Field, dating back to March 16, 2021 (7-2 defeat against UNCG).
UP NEXT
- Virginia Tech will visit Pitt for a three-game ACC road series beginning on Friday, March 24. First pitch between the Hokies and the Panthers at Charles L. Cost Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.
- Tickets to Virginia Tech's four remaining ACC regular season home series against Virginia (March 31-April 2), Georgia Tech (April 14-16), North Carolina (April 28-30) and Clemson (May 12-14) are still available at all pricing options. Purchase your tickets today.
- Fans, before making your way to English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park this season, consider reviewing the ballpark's 2023 Visitors Guide.