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Baseball

Meet the 2026 Hokies: Baseball's Incoming Transfer Position Players

Stockpiling proven talent from the collegiate ranks, Virginia Tech is proud to welcome in its four incoming transfer position players

BLACKSBURG – Loading up on emerging collegiate talent from the transfer portal this offseason, the Virginia Tech baseball team and head coach John Szefc are proud to welcome four new transfer position players to the program ahead of the 2026 season.

The Hokies are excited to welcome to campus infielders Pete Daniel (Nashville, Tennessee, via Belmont), Sam Grube (Mechanicsburg, Virginia, via Mount St. Mary's) and Owen Petrich (Doylestown, Pennsylvania, via Saint Joseph's) along with outfielder Sam Gates (Island Heights, New Jersey, via George Washington).

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PETE DANIEL

Infielder  /  Jr.  /  6-3  /  185  /  Nashville, Tenn.  /  The Ensworth School  /  Belmont

  • Ranked as the No. 102 overall recruit and No. 15 shortstop from Tennessee in the Class of 2023 by Perfect Game.
  • Played in 108 games at Belmont spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons, making 107 starts for the Bruins.
  • Career statistics spanning two collegiate seasons include a .296 batting average, 124 hits, 26 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 46 RBIs, 70 runs scored, 23 stolen bases and a .941 fielding percentage.
  • As a sophomore during the 2025 season, batted .360 and slugged .521 with 76 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 32 RBIs, 38 runs scored and 21 stolen bases; sported a .423 on-base percentage.
  • Named to the 2025 All-Missouri Valley First Team as a third baseman. 

SAM GATES

Infielder  /  Gr.  /  5-11  /  185  /  Island Heights, N.J.  /  Donovan Catholic High School  /  George Washington

  • Ranked as the nation’s No. 320 overall outfielder in the Class of 2021 by Perfect Game.
  • Ranked as the No. 49 overall recruit and No. 8 outfielder from New Jersey in the Class of 2021 by Perfect Game.
  • Missed the 2022 college baseball season due to injury.
  • Played in 159 games at George Washington spanning the 2023 through 2025 seasons, making 158 starts for the Revolutionaries.
  • Career statistics spanning three collegiate seasons include a .309 batting average, a .412 on-base percentage, 199 hits, 49 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs, 109 RBIs, 126 runs scored, 40 stolen bases and a .975 fielding percentage.
  • Recipient of George Washington baseball's annual Jackie Robinson Award.

SAM GRUBE

Infielder  /  So.  /  6-3  /  205  /  Mechanicsburg, Pa.  /  Cedar Cliff High School  /  Mount St. Mary's

  • Started during each of his 50 games played at Mount St. Mary's during his 2024 freshman season.
  • Batted .293 as a rookie for the Mountaineers, recording 58 hits, eight doubles, four triples, four home runs, 48 runs scored, 45 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.
  • Graduated from Cedar Cliff High School ranked sixth on the school's all-time hits list (78).

OWEN PETRICH

Catcher  /  5-yr.  /  6-2  /  220  /  Doylestown, Pa.  /  Central Bucks South High School  /  Saint Joseph's

  • Ranked as the No. 133 overall recruit and No. 18 shortstop from Pennsylvania in the Class of 2021 by Perfect Game.
  • Has played in 144 collegiate games, spanning time at Delaware (2023) and Saint Joseph's (2024, 2025).
  • Career statistics spanning three collegiate seasons include a .294 batting average, 146 hits, 24 doubles, a triple, 27 home runs, 132 RBIs, 93 runs scored and a .958 fielding percentage.
  • As a 2025 junior, ranked among the top 10 Atlantic 10 players in home runs (15) and RBIs (61).