Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Scoring in bunches on Tuesday afternoon, the Virginia Tech baseball team put up three crooked numbers during its six innings at the plate as the Hokies breezed by Norfolk State, 13-0, during a seven-inning game shortened by run rule at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.
Virginia Tech (9-3) rushed out to the 8-0 lead after three innings of play and never looked back, tacking on a solo home run by David McCann during the fourth inning before pushing four more runs across during the fifth inning. Flexing their offensive identity, the Hammerin’ Hokies capped their 13-run shutout victory in style, receiving a two-run home run by David Lewis (parked 430 feet to center field) and an RBI triple by Garrett Michel – the Blacksburg junior’s first collegiate triple.
Freshman left-hander Chase Swift carved up the Spartans’ lineup during his second relief outing of his collegiate career. Swift struck out seven of the eight batters he faced in relief of rookie starter Parker Sweeney, including five in a row upon taking the mound with the bases loaded during the top of the third inning.
After a scoreless first inning, Virginia Tech loaded the bases without a hit during the bottom of the second inning and proceeded to bring all three runners around to grab the 3-0 lead. Michel darted home on a wild pitch for the Hokies’ opening run while Jackson Cherry connected on Mac Yarbrough’s ensuing 1-2 pitch, knocking a two-RBI single into left field.
Junior second baseman Jared Davis went 2-for-4 from the top spot in the Virginia Tech order, leading off the bottom of the third inning with a base hit into center field. Davis swiped second base before scoring easily on McCann’s RBI knock up the middle – the first of two run-scoring swings for the Hokies’ designated hitter.
Singles by Davis and McCann went down as the only two hits Virginia Tech needed to break open the ballgame. The Hokies completed their five-run inning by riding out three walks, two run-scoring battery miscues and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Sam Tackett, who entered the day as the ACC leader in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS.
Matt Westley and Luke Jackman completed Virginia Tech’s second shutout of the 2025 season with Jackman striking out three of the five batters he faced.
Norfolk State (0-9) received a pair of two-hit games from outfielders Jalan Jones and Justin Jornette.
POSTGAME QUOTES
"That is kind of what we are supposed to do. Good play from the bench, Swift came in and struck out seven. This game is all about throwing strikes and playing defense, again and again and again." - Head coach John Szefc
"It was exciting to see [Swift] go out there and throw well. I think all of our arms that came out threw well. We had a good start by Sweeney and then everyone in the bullpen after that. I was excited to watch them pitch." - Senior third baseman David Lewis
"Brett Renfrow really took me in. He has been a really good leader." - Freshman pitcher Chase Swift