BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Freshman Jacob Exum had everything working on Friday, punching out eight Virginia hitters over five innings of work, but it was not enough as the Virginia Tech Hokies lost to the No. 5 Cavaliers 9-5.
In addition to his eight strikeouts, Exum tossed five innings, giving up one run on two hits and walking two for Virginia Tech (15-10, 2-8).
Freshman Brody Donay led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and three RBI. Junior Carson Jones furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Sophomore Carson DeMartini also chipped in, going 0-for-2 for Virginia Tech with three walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 9-0, the Hokies first put runs on the board in the sixth inning. Virginia Tech pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Jones.
The Hokies kept the deficit at 9-2 before closing the gap further in the eighth. Virginia Tech scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Donay, scoring DeMartini and sophomore Christian Martin, which tightened the Cavaliers lead to 9-5. The Hokies were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Exum fanned eight Cavaliers hitters.
» Hokies pitchers combined to strike out 13 Virginia hitters.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Virginia Tech pitchers faced 43 Virginia hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out 13.
» The Hokies drew five walks from Virginia pitching.
» Donay led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Virginia was led offensively by junior Ethan O'Donnell, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Senior Brian Edgington led the Cavaliers pitching staff, throwing six innings of two-run ball.