No. 11 Virginia Tech (9-2, 0-0 ACC)
vs. UMass Lowell (2-7, 0-0 America East)
Tuesday, March 7
English Field at AUBP
2 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Wednesday, March 8
English Field at AUBP
1 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – Winner of six straight and nine out of its last 10 games, the No. 11 Virginia Tech baseball team (9-2, 0-0 ACC) will begin wrapping up its first home stand of the young season this week when Tech invites UMass Lowell (2-7, 0-0 America East) into English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park for a two-game series (March 7-8).
Tuesday and Wednesday's games between the Hokies and the River Hawks will air live on ACC Network Extra with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Fans may also listen to both games as called by the voice of Tech baseball, Evan Hughes, on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
• Tuesday: Nick Finarelli (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. TBD
• Wednesday: TBD vs. TBD
HAMMERIN' HEADLINES
- While standing strong in D1Baseball's top 15 for the fourth straight week (No. 11), Virginia Tech climbed in four national polls, placing as high as No. 10 according to the USA TODAY Sports coaches' poll. The Hokies improved by two and three spots to No. 11 by Baseball America and the NCBWA in addition to witnessing a two-position increase to No. 13 by Perfect Game.
- Tech's offense has been on a steady rise since Opening Day, returning to its coveted spot among the nation's top tier in several statistical categories. The Hokies begin the week ranked in a tie for 12th in doubles per game (2.82), 14th in scoring average (10.4 runs per game), in a tie for 14th in triples per game (0.55) and 15th in slugging percentage (.569).
- Fifth-year outfielder Chris Cannizzaro was named the ACC Player of the Week on Monday, having batted 14-for-20 during Tech's 4-0 week against Radford and Charlotte. Including him hitting for the cycle on Feb. 26 against Bryant, Cannizzaro has recorded 19 hits during his last 26 at-bats, including 10 extra-base hits (four doubles, two triples, four home runs).
- As of March 6, Chris Cannizzaro leads all NCAA Division I players in total hits (27) while ranking fifth nationally in batting average (.540) and 11th in slugging percentage (1.020). Through 11 games, Cannizzaro's .540 batting average (27-for-50) this season ranks three percentage points higher than Jack Hurley's 11-game start to the 2022 season (.537, 22-for-41).
- Among Tech players with 25 or more at-bats, Cannizzaro's 6.0 percent strikeout rate leads the team ahead of Christian Martin (6.9 percent) and Carson DeMartini (23.1).
MIDWEEK MANIA
- Virginia Tech is 2-0 during midweek games this season. The Hokies have combined to outscore their 2023 midweek opponents, 32-7, while outhitting them, 31-15.
- Tech has won 11 consecutive regular season midweek games, dating back to March 15, 2022 (5-2 defeat at James Madison).
- The Hokies have prevailed during 13 straight regular season midweek games at English Field, dating back to March 16, 2021 (7-2 defeat against UNCG).
- Virginia Tech is 1-1 all-time against UMass Lowell, having split two 2014 meetings during a multi-team tournament at English Field. Second baseman Alex Perez helped the Hokies walk off the River Hawks during the inaugural series meeting on March 1, 2014, providing the RBI single that scored Kyle Wernicki during the bottom of the 11th inning.
- UMass Lowell placed second in the 2023 America East preseason coaches' poll, receiving two first-place votes. The River Hawks scored three points behind first-place Binghamton and three points ahead of third-place Bryant, which the Hokies defeated during a three-game series at English Field between Feb. 24 and Feb. 26.
- Tuesday will mark UMass Lowell's first midweek game of the 2023 season. The River Hawks began the year with an 0-7 weekend record, but won the final two games of their most recent series at James Madison.
- Former Tech infielder Fritz Genther will make his return to Blacksburg for the first time since competing with the Hokies from 2020 to 2021.
UP NEXT
- No. 11 Virginia Tech will open ACC play on Friday, March 10, with the first of three home games against Boston College. First pitch between the Hokies and the Eagles at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is scheduled for 2 p.m.
- Tech's season-opening home stand features 13 games at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park beginning Feb. 21 and running through Tech's ACC-opening series against Boston College (March 10-12).
- Tickets to Virginia Tech's five ACC regular season home series against Boston College (March 10-12), 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.