Virginia Tech (13-7, 1-5 ACC)
at Pitt (9-9, 1-3 ACC)
Friday, March 24
Charles L. Cost Field
3 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Saturday, March 25
Charles L. Cost Field
3 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Sunday, March 26
Charles L. Cost Field
1 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – Riding the high of Wednesday's shutout victory, the Virginia Tech baseball team (13-7, 1-5 ACC) will look to carry its winning spirit into the weekend when it visits Pitt (9-9, 1-3 ACC) for a three-game ACC series at Charles L. Cost Field in Pittsburgh (March 24-26).
Friday through Sunday's games between the Hokies and the Panthers will air live on ACC Network Extra with coverage beginning at 3 p.m., 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Fans may also listen to all three games as called on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
• Friday: Drue Hackenberg (1-2, 4.73 ERA) vs. Jack Sokol (2-1, 8.41 ERA)
• Saturday: Griffin Green (0-1, 7.06 ERA) vs. Kyle Mosley (0-2, 6.87 ERA)
• Sunday: TBD vs. TBD
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 heads into its series at Pitt ranked fourth among NCAA Division I programs in fielding percentage (.986), trailing only second-place Virginia among ACC sides. The Hokies have committed three errors during their last 10 games.
- Virginia Tech is equipped with the nation's ninth best slugging offense (.575) and the second best within the ACC, trailing only North Carolina (.576). Junior outfielder Eddie Eisert (.677 slugging percentage) leads the team with six home runs and is one of five Hokies who are slugging north of .600 alongside Garrett Michel (.714), Chris Cannizzaro (.700), Clay Grady (.667) and Carson DeMartini (.629).
- Fourth-year outfielder Carson Jones rides a hot streak into Friday's series opener at Pitt. Since opening ACC play on March 10, Jones has gone 7-for-21 (.333 batting average) with two doubles and three home runs, co-leading the Hokies in RBIs (eight).
- 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 last week's series opener at Miami.
MIDWEEK TAKEAWAYS
- Virginia Tech's 11-0 win against VMI on Wednesday marked its first shutout victory of the 2023 season and its largest shutout win since Feb. 25, 2022, against Fordham (12-0).
- On the mound, six Hokies combined to allow four hits – all singles – tying Tech's season low as a staff this season. Together, the Hokies' arms notched 12 strikeouts, issued three walks, stranded five runners on base and allowed only one runner to advance beyond second base.
- Sophomore third baseman Carson DeMartini led Tech's 13-hit performance, batting 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs. DeMartini recorded two hits (leadoff single, two-RBI double) during the Hokies' seven-run fifth inning.
- Rookie first baseman Garrett Michel put the game out of reach during the fifth inning by connecting on his first career grand slam.
SERIES HISTORY
- Virginia Tech holds a narrow lead in the all-time series against Pitt, 22-21-1.
- Under head coach John Szefc, the Hokies are 9-3 against the Panthers and have won all four contested regular season series.
- Last season, Virginia Tech's explosive, 22-6 victory against Pitt on March 19 at English Field arguably served as the program's launching point during its run to the 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Super Regional. At the time, the win snapped the Hokies' five-game losing streak, ended their 0-4 start to ACC play and opened the door for Tech to win 35 of its final 43 games (inclusive).
- The Hokies are 5-1 during their last six games played at Charles L. Cost Field in Pittsburgh, having won three-game sets against the Panthers during the 2019 and 2021 campaigns.
UP NEXT
- Virginia Tech will complete its 2023 home-and-home series with VMI on Tuesday, March 28, by returning play in Lexington. First pitch between the Hokies and the Keydets at Gray-Minor Stadium is scheduled for 6 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.