BLACKSBURG – Playing from behind early on Tuesday night, the Virginia Tech baseball team was unable to chase down Liberty as the Hokies stumbled, 7-3, at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Jack Hurley's mammoth solo home run during the seventh inning – his 12th of the season – marked the high point of Tech's offensive evening as the Hokies were held to three runs on six hits. Fellow veteran outfielder Carson Jones went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot, doubling to no avail during the sixth inning as the game's potential go-ahead run.
With the loss, Virginia Tech (18-12) witnessed the end of its 15-game winning streak during regular season midweek contests – a feat that had dated back to March 15, 2022 (5-2 defeat at James Madison). Additionally, the Hokies' loss snapped their streak of 16 consecutive regular season midweek victories at English Field, which had dated back to March 16, 2021 (7-2 defeat against UNCG).
Sixth-year right-hander Kiernan Higgins picked up a short start from junior Grant Umberger, retiring each of the seven batters he faced to keep Tech in a 3-1 ballgame. Rookie right-hander Jacob Exum followed by posting three scoreless frames, though surrendered two leadoff hits during the seventh inning that opened the door for Liberty (15-17) to ice the game with four critical insurance runs.
Virginia Tech left 11 runners on base, missing an array of run-scoring opportunities that could have shifted the game's outcome. After scoring its first run during the second inning courtesy of a two-out error by Gray Betts, Tech left a total of six runners aboard in scoring position (seven overall) from the second through sixth innings.
With the bases loaded and no outs during the bottom of the fifth inning, the Hokies mustered only a skinny run on Carson DeMartini's sacrifice fly, trimming their deficit at the time to 3-2. During the next inning, Jones appeared to leave Tech lying the go-ahead runs in scoring position – having doubled through the wickets of third baseman Cam Foster – despite remaining on base following the ensuing, inning-ending groundout.
Trey Cooper started for the Flames, struck out three batters during two innings of work and was credited with the winning decision as Liberty combined to throw six arms, racking up 11 total strikeouts. Betts finished with three RBIs, singling two runs home during the Flames' four-run seventh inning that sealed the win.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will remain in Blacksburg to host Georgia Tech during a three-game ACC series beginning on Friday, April 14. First pitch of Friday's series opener between the Hokies and the Yellow Jackets is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Gallery: (4-11-2023) BSB: Liberty Game