BLACKSBURG – Despite taking an early lead during Sunday's series finale, the Virginia Tech baseball team was unable to pick up a win during its final chance against No. 16 Clemson as the Hokies played to the 9-6 defeat during their final regular season home game at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
With the loss, Virginia Tech (29-19, 11-15 ACC) missed its first opportunity to secure placement in the 12-team field at this month's ACC Baseball Championship, though the Hokies' outlook remains positive. Considering Louisville's 8-3 defeat to No. 21 Virginia on Sunday, Tech's magic number to qualify for the conference tournament is down to one with the Cardinals as it heads into its final ACC series of the season at No. 1 Wake Forest.
Garrett Michel and Carson Jones combined to bat 4-for-8 on Sunday from the top two spots in Virginia Tech's lineup. Michel accounted for the game-tying RBI double during the bottom of the second inning, soon scoring on Jones' RBI base hit through the left side that introduced the Hokies' first lead at 3-2.
Facing a bases-loaded jam during the top of the first inning, southpaw starter Jonah Hurney was one strike away from keeping Clemson (35-17, 17-10 ACC) off the scoreboard, though was burned for a two-RBI single up the middle by Riley Bertram. Hurney's fortunes improved during the second inning – in large part due to catcher Gehrig Ebel's quick-acting, 2-6 double play on Jack Crighton's bunted ball – but began to decline during the Tigers' third-inning charge.
With two runners aboard, Billy Amick knotted the game at 3-3 with his RBI single through the left side, soon taking an extra 90 feet when Hurney's pickoff of Caden Grice at second base bounced errantly into the outfield. Blake Wright's ensuing two-RBI double ultimately sent Hurney toward the exit while Benjamin Blackwell tacked on an RBI single to leave Clemson lying the 6-3 lead.
Rookie right-hander Jacob Exum relieved Hurney and quieted the Tigers through three and one-third innings of relief, striking out four batters without issuing a walk. At one point, Exum had retired seven consecutive batters – a streak that came to an end when Cooper Ingle curved his solo homer around the right field foul pole.
Lucas Donlon trimmed the Hokies' deficit to 8-4 during the bottom of the sixth inning, part of his 2-for-3 day in the nine-spot upon earning the start at third base. However, Amick reinstated Clemson's five-run lead during the top of the seventh inning, driving a solo home run off Andrew Sentlinger towards the scoreboard in right field.
Down five runs with the same 9-4 score line as on Saturday night, Virginia Tech began scripting another bases-loaded, comeback rally during the bottom of the seventh inning. Carson Jones set the wheels in motion, lasering a single high off Bertram's glove at second base, tagging into scoring position on Jack Hurley's deep fly out and safely making it to third base on Chris Cannizzaro's infield single that ricocheted off pitcher Ty Olenchuk.
With three ducks on the pond, sophomore Christian Martin punished a ball to first base that led to two Tech runs – one off his RBI infield single and another when Amick's recovery throw errantly sailed wide of the covering Tigers at first base. Despite the Hokies bringing the tying run to the plate, Olenchuk and reliever Reed Garris squashed the rally, keeping Clemson's 9-6 lead intact.
Virginia Tech again brought the tying run to the plate during the bottom of the ninth inning, though was denied by Tristan Smith's game-ending strikeout of Henry Cooke.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will visit James Madison on Tuesday, May 16. First pitch between the Hokies and the Dukes at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Gallery: (5-15-2023) BSB: Clemson Game 3