HARRISONBURG, Va. – Facing a 6-1 deficit after five innings of play on Wednesday, the Virginia Tech baseball team slugged its way into the 7-6 lead during the top of the eighth inning, despite succumbing to the Dukes' walk-off moment during the Hokies' 8-7 defeat at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.
Virginia Tech (2-2) was held to three hits through the game's opening four innings before barreling its way back into contention around the midway point. Junior third baseman Carson DeMartini delivered a two-out RBI single during the top of the fifth inning to finally put the Hokies on the scoreboard at 4-1, but JMU responded with two runs behind Mike Mancini's leadoff home run, presenting the hosts with a five-run cushion.
Senior designated hitter Eddie Micheletti Jr. (transfer from George Washington) kept Tech alive with his solo home run during the top of the sixth inning – the 11th round-tripper of his career and his first with the Hokies. However, the spirited swing happened to be the last hit left-hand starter Donovan Burke allowed during his six-inning start as the southpaw proceeded to fan Sam Tackett and Ben Watson, back-to-back on six pitches, elevating his game total to seven strikeouts.
James Madison (2-3) lifted Burke for right-hand reliever Chase Hustead, who was greeted by Henry Cooke's leadoff double to right field. Three batters later, DeMartini came through with another key two-out swing, this time hammering Hustead's 3-1 pitch well over the doubled wall in right field to trim the JMU lead to 6-4.
Tech's two-out rally during the seventh inning was prolonged by Chris Cannizzaro, who dropped a shallow fly ball into left center field for his second double of the afternoon. On the very next pitch, first baseman Garrett Michel pulled an RBI double into the right field corner, plating Cannizzaro and bringing the Hokies within a run at 6-5.
With momentum fully on its side, Tech went to work during the eighth inning behind a pair of leadoff walks issued to Watson and Cooke. Clay Grady brought the Hokies even at 6-6 with his game-tying RBI single into left center field, two batters before DeMartini produced the go-ahead run off his deep sacrifice fly that resulted in his fourth RBI of the game (season high).
Despite grabbing its first lead, Virginia Tech missed its opportunity to close out the Dukes during its final two defensive innings. During both the eighth and ninth innings, the Hokies allowed James Madison to load the bases with no outs recorded, putting unhealthy pressure on their run-protecting defense.
Tech had to pocket two bunted balls by the Dukes during the eighth inning that resulted in JMU pushing the tying run across (off the still bat of Wyatt Peifer). By the ninth inning, Ryan Dooley had attempted to bunt Fenwick Trimble into scoring position at the expense of the first out, but DeMartini's throw to second base bounced errantly into the outfield, moving both runners into scoring position.
With the Hokies electing to introduce a fifth infielder, Coleman Calabrese provided the walk-off RBI single to right field that scored Trimble, inviting the Dukes to empty the dugout in celebration.
Freshman left-hander Madden Clement started and went one and two-thirds innings for the Hokies, allowing four runs on three hits without recording a strikeout. Jordan Vera was charged for two earned runs in relief.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will open its 2024 home calendar on Friday, Feb. 23, against Rhode Island. First pitch between the Hokies and the Rams is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday's game time between the two programs has been moved to 2 p.m. (previously 4 p.m.).