WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Putting the nation's top-ranked team on upset alert, the Virginia Tech baseball team held as large as a 3-0 lead at No. 1 Wake Forest on Thursday night, despite the Demon Deacons closing late to earn the 6-3 result at David F. Couch Ballpark.
With the loss, Virginia Tech (29-20, 11-16 ACC) at the moment was unable to clinch a berth in the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship as Louisville (10-18 ACC) came from behind to win its opener at Florida State on Thursday night. The Hokies' magic number to make the 12-team conference tournament field remains one with the Cardinals heading into Friday's penultimate day of the regular season.
Fifth-year outfielder Chris Cannizzaro belted two extra-base hits and dropped an RBI squeeze bunt against the defending ACC Pitcher of the Year, Rhett Lowder. Cannizzaro bunted Brody Donay home during the second inning for the game's first run and later drove a solo home run to left field during the fourth inning, doubling the Hokies' advantage to 2-0.
Rookie first baseman Garrett Michel helped Tech add a third run to its lead during the fifth inning, cracking a leadoff double down the right field line. Taking third base as Carson Jones grounded out to the right side, Jack Hurley plated Michel with his RBI single through the right side, extending the Hokies' edge to 3-0.
Shutting out Wake Forest through four innings, right-hand starter Drue Hackenberg ran into trouble during the fifth inning, where the Demon Deacons scored four runs on four hits and a pair of sacrifice flies.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will look to even the series against No. 1 Wake Forest on Friday, May 19. First pitch between the Hokies and the Demon Deacons is scheduled for 6 p.m. at David F. Couch Ballpark.
Gallery: (5-18-2023) BSB: Wake Forest Game 1