Virginia Tech (29-16, 11-12 ACC)
vs. Clemson (32-17, 14-10 ACC)
Friday, May 12
English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park
4 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Saturday, May 13
English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park
7 p.m. ET
ACC Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Sunday, May 14
English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park
3 p.m. ET
ACC Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – At a critical juncture in making its push for the postseason, the Virginia Tech baseball team (29-16, 11-12 ACC) will set out in search of proving its potential this weekend when it bids to cage No. 16 Clemson (32-17, 14-10 ACC) during a three-game ACC series at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Friday's series opener is scheduled for 4 p.m. (previously 7 p.m.) and will air live on ACC Network Extra. Saturday and Sunday's games between the Hokies and the Tigers will both air live on ACC Network with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Fans may also listen to all three games as called by the voice of Tech baseball, Evan Hughes, on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
PROMOTIONS
• Friday: Free coloring sheets giveaway.
• Saturday: Senior Night ... Johnny Oates Memorial Award presentation ... Free coloring sheets giveaway ... Free admission to Hokie Kids' Club Orange Members.
• Sunday: Mother's Day ... Free trading card giveaway (freshman class) and postgame autograph signing ... Kids are invited to run the bases following the conclusion of Sunday's series finale, weather permitting.
PROBABLE STARTERS
• Friday: TBD vs. Ethan Darden (3-2, 5.05 ERA)
• Saturday: TBD vs. Austin Gordon (1-4, 5.42 ERA)
• Sunday: TBD vs. Caden Grice (5-1, 3.42 ERA)
WHAT'S AT STAKE
- Virginia Tech has won four consecutive games and 11 of its last 15 contests. During their latest four-game winning streak, the Hokies have combined to outscore their opponents, 44-6.
- Currently in his 18th head coaching season, John Szefc is one win away from leading his 12th career team to 30 or more victories (his second such accomplishment at Virginia Tech). The Hokies are also one win shy of achieving back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time since the 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
- Entering Friday's series opener, Tech ranks No. 48 in the NCAA Division I Baseball RPI with its strength of schedule ranking at No. 57 nationally.
- On May 10, Virginia Tech ranked No. 66 overall and among the First Five Out in D1Baseball's Week 13 projections of the 64-team field. Ahead of the Hokies, the outlet considered to be No. 60 NC State, No. 61 Texas Tech, No. 62 UTSA, No. 63 Texas State and No. 64 Troy; sharing the bubble were No. 65 UC Irvine, No. 67 Oklahoma, No. 68 USC and No. 69 Rutgers.
- Heading into the penultimate weekend of the regular season, Virginia Tech (11-12 ACC) owns the ninth best record among ACC programs and sits in fifth place in the ACC Coastal Division, trailing first-place [No. 10] Duke (14-9 ACC) by three games. The Hokies are clear of 13th-place Louisville (9-15 ACC) by two and a half games in the race to qualify for the 12-team field at the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship.
HAMMERIN' HEADLINES
- Statistically, Virginia Tech ranks fourth among NCAA Division I programs in fielding percentage (.983), eighth in scoring (9.2 runs per game), eighth in slugging percentage (.552) and ninth in home runs per game (1.96).
- The "Hammerin' Hokies" ride a streak of five consecutive multi-homer games (featuring 14 home runs) into Friday's series opener against Clemson.
- Tech's 88 home runs this season are tied for the 15th most among NCAA Division I programs and rank as the third most among ACC squads behind Wake Forest (94) and Miami (91). Following their 126 home runs hit during the 2022 campaign, the Hokies are seeking to eclipse the century mark in home runs during back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1985 and 1986.
- Right-hand starting pitcher Anthony Arguelles carries an active streak of 18 and one-third innings pitched since allowing his last earned run on April 21 at Florida State. Arguelles shut out North Carolina through seven and one-third innings pitched on April 28 and set a new NCAA Division I career high in strikeouts (nine) on May 6 against Bowling Green.
- After missing eight games due to injury, junior outfielder Jack Hurley hit his 16th home run of the season on Wednesday at Liberty during his first at-bat back in Virginia Tech's lineup. Hurley – who is riding his second career 20-game hitting streak – ranks sixth among ACC batters in home runs and leads the league in conference-only slugging percentage (.829).
- Sophomore second baseman Christian Martin carries an active 30-game reached base streak into Friday's series opener. Martin has reached base safely during all but two of his 41 appearances this season.
SERIES HISTORY
- Virginia Tech's lone ACC regular season series victory against Clemson was earned during the 2009 season in Blacksburg.
- Despite Tech having prevailed on only six ACC regular season occasions against the Tigers (spanning 36 games), the Hokies have won both ACC Baseball Championship meetings, including their memorable 18-6 bashing during the 2022 tournament. Tech's seven-run third inning was highlighted by four home run swings, featuring Nick Biddison, Gavin Cross and Tanner Schobel connecting on back-to-back-to-back home runs at Truist Field in Charlotte.
- Prior to the start of the 2023 season, head coach John Szefc had won weekend series against all but three current ACC opponents: Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech. This season, the Hokies have taken series off both the Yellow Jackets (April 14-16) and the Seminoles (April 21-23), leaving the Tigers as the final domino left to topple. (Szefc's pursuit includes Tech's one-game series win at Notre Dame in March 2022.)
- Virginia Tech has won 10 of its last 12 regular season series against D1Baseball ranked opponents. Earlier this season in Blacksburg, the Hokies won a three-game set off then-No. 5 Virginia during the Commonwealth Clash presented by Smithfield.
UP NEXT
- Virginia Tech will close the 2023 regular season with four away games beginning on Tuesday, May 16, at James Madison. First pitch between the Hokies and the Dukes at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg is scheduled for 6 p.m.
- Tech is awaiting qualification to the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship, which will take place between Tuesday, May 23, and Sunday, May 28, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina.
- Tickets to Virginia Tech's final ACC regular season home series against 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.