Hokie ClubARLINGTON, Texas – Making its Texas debut on Friday night, the Virginia Tech baseball team played within two runs of No. 23 Texas A&M for most of the way at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, despite succumbing to an eight-run inning that contributed to its 10-0 loss in seven innings during a game shortened by run rule at Globe Life Field.
Junior right-hander Brett Renfrow set season highs for innings pitched (five) and strikeouts (seven), surrendering solitary runs during the first and fourth innings. Renfrow departed with the Hokies trailing, 2-0, midway through the sixth inning before the Aggies put the game in run rule contention, scoring eight runs on five hits.
Virginia Tech (7-2) received a loud double during the first inning from freshman Ethan Ball, who extended his hitting streak to nine consecutive career-opening games. Ball went 2-for-3 along with left fielder Nick Locurto – two of the three Hokies who accounted for the team’s five hits (Treyson Hughes).
As a unit, Virginia Tech went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, stranding two runners in scoring position during the top of the fourth inning.
Texas A&M (9-0) broke open the scoring against Renfrow during the first inning courtesy of Chris Hacopian’s two-out solo home run hit to left center field. Caden Sorrell’s leadoff single during the fourth inning led to the Aggies’ second run of the night, preempting Terrence Kielli’s RBI single with runners at the corners.
Left-handed starter Shane Sdao pitched six shutout innings for Texas A&M, allowing four hits while recording five strikeouts. On two occasions, Sdao left Virginia Tech runners at third base by punching out Henry Cooke (first inning) and Sam Gates (fourth inning).
Preston Crowl and Brody Roe were both charged for four earned runs during the bottom of the sixth inning. Texas A&M combined for three consecutive run-scoring doubles against Roe that pushed the lead into double figures, creating a run rule situation.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will look to even its record at the 2026 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on Saturday, Feb. 28, when it takes on No. 4 Mississippi State. First pitch between the Hokies and the Bulldogs is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT).