BLACKSBURG – Coupling its four-run third inning with its eight-run seventh inning on Wednesday night, the No. 16 Virginia Tech baseball team hopped back on the winning trail by defeating Liberty, 13-3, in eight innings (via run-rule) at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
David McCann's RBI double during the bottom of the eighth inning marked the Hokies' lone extra-base hit of the game as Tech methodically waited out 14 walks by the Flames – nine occurring during the bottom of the seventh inning (plus one hit batsman). Seven Hokies ended the night with more walks than hits in their stat line, including each of the first six batters in Tech's lineup.
Virginia Tech (22-8) led Liberty (15-17) by a skinny run, 4-3, at the seventh inning stretch before receiving 10 combined free passes by four opposing relievers. Carson DeMartini's two-RBI single with the bases loaded marked the Hokies' only hit of their eight-run rally, which featured sacrifice flies by Christian Martin and Ben Watson in addition to four other bases-loaded RBI handouts.
Tech left-hand starter Madden Clement shut out the Flames through two innings, punching out four batters, though was charged for two runs during the third inning after allowing Liberty's leadoff tandem to reach base. Brayden Horton came through with the go-ahead, two-RBI single for the Flames against Jacob Exum, who picked up two (of three) outs ahead of left-handed vet Matthew Siverling.
On one pitch, Siverling stranded runners at the corners by fielding a comeback-ball beautifully, ending the inning while keeping the damage at two runs.
Tech responded immediately as Ethan Gibson cracked the Hokies' first hit of the game off two-way starter Todd Hudson. Martin followed by stroking a second single into left field while Clay Grady managed to bunt his way aboard, loading the bases for the heart of Tech's lineup.
On cue, Watson halved Virginia Tech's deficit to 2-1 with his RBI single into left field, two batters before DeMartini was able to draw the game-tying walk. With a 3-1 green light, senior catcher Gehrig Ebel presented the Hokies with their first lead, lifting the two-RBI single into center field that scored Grady and Watson to put Tech on top, 4-2.
Siverling completed two innings of relief to earn his second victory of the season, handing the ball over to freshman Preston Crowl, who matched Siverling's length, pitching into the seventh inning. There, Crowl was an out away from finishing the Flames off, though was pulled before Horton's RBI double off David Shoemaker had trimmed Tech's lead down to 4-3.
Despite bringing 14 batters to the plate, Virginia Tech's eight-run rally during the seventh inning ended one run shy of halting the contest prematurely via run rule. However, after Jacob Stretch had silenced Liberty with back-to-back strikeouts during the eighth inning, Ebel turned his 1-2 count into a leadoff walk, scoring the winning run on McCann's two-base cut through the alley in left center field.
Liberty's 14 walks on Wednesday marked the most Virginia Tech had endured during a game since April 15, 2023, when the Hokies set the program record for walks drawn (18) against Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech's nine offensive walks during the seventh inning also clocked in two walks shy of the NCAA Division I record for most walks during an inning (11), set by TCU in 1998.
UP NEXT
No. 16 Virginia Tech will look to build a new winning streak when the Hokies open a three-game ACC series at Georgia Tech on Friday, April 12. First pitch at Russ Chandler Stadium in Atlanta is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Gallery: (4-10-2024) BSB: Liberty Game