DURHAM, N.C. – Staking a 3-0 lead on the bat of Carson Jones' two-run home run during Tuesday's opening game of the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship, the 10th-seeded Virginia Tech baseball team tested sixth-seeded [No. 22] Boston College early and often, despite playing to the 11-7 defeat at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Jones singled Tech's to-be first run of the game into scoring position during the top of the first inning before powering his 14th home run of the season to right field – his fourth career postseason homer and third at the ACC Baseball Championship. Sophomore second baseman Christian Martin cracked leadoff singles during the second and fourth innings for the Hokies, finishing 2-for-3 while proudly extending his reached base streak to 37 consecutive games.
With the loss, Virginia Tech (30-22) can no longer advance out of Pool C and will play its final ACC tournament game on Wednesday, May 24, against third-seeded [No. 6] Clemson. First pitch between the Hokies and the Tigers is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Southpaw starter Jonah Hurney was efficient through two scoreless innings and collected the opening two outs of the third inning before Boston College (35-17) made its move. Peter Burns and Patrick Roche hit back-to-back singles to keep Hurney on the mound, leaving the door open for Joe Vetrano to deliver his two-RBI double down the right field line.
With Hurney out and Jacob Exum in, Nick Wang matched Vetrano with a two-RBI double of his own, providing BC its first lead of the game at 4-3.
Virginia Tech clawed back immediately during the fourth inning, rallying behind Martin's leadoff base hit and a five-pitch walk drawn by Chris Cannizzaro. After David Bryant had bunted the Tech tandem over, rookie shortstop Clay Grady shuttled a two-RBI single up the middle, reinstating the Hokies' lead at 5-4.
With Tech having tacked on a run via a wild pitch, right-hander Anthony Arguelles went to work during the first relief appearance of his Tech career. Despite walking the bases loaded during the bottom of the fifth inning, Arguelles caught the Eagles' designated hitter Kyle Wolff looking for the second out before inducing the inning-ending ground ball that preserved the Hokies' 6-4 advantage.
However, Boston College managed to flip the game in its favor during the bottom of the sixth inning, sliding within a run at 6-5 courtesy of Barry Walsh's solo homer. Roche's impending double against Henry Weycker left Tech in a position to intentionally walk Vetrano to load the bases, from where Wang cleared them with his three-RBI double down the left field line.
Virginia Tech closed within 8-7 during the seventh inning when Chris Cannizzaro's lazy pop up was lost in the sun by shortstop Sam McNulty, resulting in Carson DeMartini scoring from second base. McNulty redeemed himself when his ensuing leadoff single opened a two-run frame for the Eagles that was highlighted by Vetrano's two-RBI base knock.
Wang and Vetrano finished with five and four RBIs, respectively, while Cohl Mercado capped the game's scoring with his RBI double during the eighth inning.
Virginia Tech's staff combined to issue 11 walks, tying for the third most walks the Hokies' arms had conceded this season. Boston College also scored nine of its 11 runs with two outs.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will close its stay at the 2023 ACC Baseball Championship on Wednesday, May 24, against third-seeded [No. 6] Clemson. First pitch between the Hokies and the Tigers at Durham Bulls Athletic Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will follow earlier tournament action.