PITTSBURGH -- The Virginia Tech Hokies took a 4-3 lead into the eighth inning, but could not hang on and fell 5-4 to the Pittsburgh Panthers Sunday.
Sophomore Tyler Dean (1-1) came out of the bullpen for Virginia Tech (14-9, 2-7) and took the loss. Senior Anthony Arguelles was a bright spot for the Hokies, starting the ballgame and throwing 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, all earned, on two hits, with three walks and five strikeouts.
Sophomore Christian Martin led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-5 in the ballgame with a double and two RBI. Junior Eddie Eisert furnished a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. Junior Jack Hurley also contributed, going 1-for-3 for Virginia Tech with two walks and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Martin's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Virginia Tech.
The Panthers failed to push any runs across before the Hokies built on their lead in the fourth inning. Virginia Tech pushed across a run on Martin's two-out RBI double, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Hokies.
Virginia Tech kept Pittsburgh scoreless before expanding their lead to 4-0 the following inning. The Hokies notched a run when Hurley drew a walk from sophomore Jonathan Bautista that scored junior Carson Jones. The Hokies were unable to hold the lead, as Pittsburgh scored five times over the remaining four innings to grab the 5-4 win.
GAME NOTES
» Every Hokies starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Virginia Tech left 12 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Hokies out-hit the Panthers at an 8-6 clip.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 38 Pittsburgh hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Hokies drew nine walks from Pittsburgh pitching.
» Martin led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
» Pittsburgh was led offensively by junior Johnny Long Iii, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Senior Nash Bryan led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.