BLACKSBURG – Led by fifth-year outfielder Ben Watson's five-hit doubleheader on Saturday, the Virginia Tech baseball team decisively boxed out Ohio during a pair of seven-inning ballgames (both shortened via run rule), prevailing by scores of 14-1 and 14-2 at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Watson combined to swing 5-for-7 on the day, ripping an RBI triple during the opening bout while adding a double and an RBI single inside game two. Tech's most consistent hitter raised his season batting average by 12 points to .420 (74 hits, 44 games), joining Carson DeMartini (4-for-8), Gehrig Ebel (4-for-6), Eddie Eisert (3-for-5) and Clay Grady (3-for-6) in the quintet of Hokies who racked up three or more hits during Saturday's doubleheader.
With the victories, Virginia Tech (30-14) eclipsed the 30-win milestone for the third consecutive season under head coach John Szefc – a feat Tech last accomplished as a program between 2011 and 2013. Saturday's triumphs were celebrated in unison with Friday's leaguewide ACC results that officially clinched the Hokies their fourth consecutive ACC Baseball Championship berth, extending the program record.
GAME ONE – Virginia Tech 14, Ohio 1 (7 inn.)
Virginia Tech (29-14) cashed in three big innings to knock off Ohio (14-26) during Saturday's opening game. The Hokies plated five runs during the second inning, six runs during the fourth inning and added three runs during the sixth inning to carry the 14-0 advantage into the seventh inning.
Tech's leadoff trio of Christian Martin, Carson DeMartini and Ben Watson united for six RBIs while its bottom three starters – Henry Cooke, Eddie Eisert and Gehrig Ebel – each finished with multi-RBI games.
On the mound, Brett Renfrow delivered five scoreless innings, scattering three hits (all singles), striking out seven batters while walking two. Matthew Siverling finished Renfrow's sixth win of the season, logging three strikeouts through two innings of relief work while allowing a run on four hits.
Virginia Tech broke away during the second inning behind each of its four leadoff men reaching base. Eddie Micheletti Jr. rode out a four-pitch walk to start Tech's offensive cadence, soon coming around as the game's opening run on Cooke's RBI single hit into center field.
Eisert kept the offense clicking by producing his first extra-base hit of the season, hammering an RBI ground-rule double to the deepest part of the yard. In the wake of Ebel's RBI groundout scoring a third run, the Hokies received a pair of clutch two-out scoring hits by DeMartini and Watson – the latter of whom smoked an RBI triple down the right field line for his third three-bagger of the season.
Ebel ushered in the beginning of the end for Ohio starter Dillon Masters during the fourth inning, crushing the opening pitch over the left field wall to put Tech on top, 6-0. With Masters soon exiting, the Hokies waited out the teetering command of reliever Tim Knapschaefer, who plunked three Hokies (twice allowing a run), walked in a run and allowed RBI base knocks to both Micheletti and Ebel.
David McCann's leadoff double during the bottom of the sixth inning cued another scoring frame for Tech, which motored ahead easily to the 14-0 lead. DeMartini provided the final big swing for the Hokies, shuttling a two-RBI triple down the right field line to score Eisert and Martin.
AJ Rausch went 2-for-3 for Ohio, scoring the Bobcats' lone run of the game during the seventh inning after a string of singles by he, Caleb Karll and Cole Williams.
GAME TWO – Virginia Tech 14, Ohio 2 (7 inn.)
Relying on its offensive prowess, Virginia Tech (30-14) began game two by putting each of its five leadoff men aboard during the bottom of the first inning. Ben Watson and Eddie Micheletti Jr. both found gaps in the Bobcats' right side defending – Watson plating Martin on his RBI single while Micheletti brought in two runs with his two-RBI base hit through the same part.
Tech continued to slug during the bottom of the second inning as Christian Martin scooted a 2-0 pitch from Hudson Boncal over the first base bag and down the line for a one-out triple. After Carson DeMartini's RBI single had brought in Martin easily from third base, Chris Cannizzaro unloaded a monster two-run home run to left field, charging the Hokies out to the 6-0 advantage through two innings of play.
Ohio (14-27) dug in during the top of the third inning as the Bobcats found their best success against Tech left-hand starter Jeremy Neff. With two men aboard, Gideon Antle barreled a two-RBI double down the right field line, allowing the visitors to creep within 6-2.
Neff stood tall in response, retiring the next seven batters he faced on his way to completing five and one-third innings pitched (the Richmond transfer's longest outing in a Virginia Tech uniform). Gehrig Ebel's three-run home run during the bottom of the third inning – his second of Saturday's doubleheader – provided plenty of insurance for Neff, who struck out three batters, allowing two runs on six hits.
Virginia Tech scored its final five runs of the day without a run-scoring hit, though received plenty of offensive support from its starting cast. The Hokies matched their 13-hit line from game one during game two, fronting another five extra-base hits (10 total) to sweep the Bobcats.
JR Nelson went 3-for-4 from Ohio's leadoff spot while Alex Finney and Antle both followed with 2-for-3 efforts. Together, the trio accounted for the entirety of the Bobcats' seven hits.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will look to close out Ohio on Sunday, May 5, at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (previously 1 p.m.).
Gallery: (5-4-2024) BSB: Ohio University Doubleheader