Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Hokie Hi: Weekend at Home wrapped up this past Sunday afternoon, concluding a four-day set that featured community events, athletic competitions and opportunities for Hokie Nation to reunite in Blacksburg once again. Highlighted by head coach James Franklin’s first appearance on Worsham Field at Lane Stadium for the 2026 Spring Game, droves of maroon and orange could be seen enjoying the excitement of a weekend in southwest Virginia.
Baseball wins two of three contests, secures second ACC home series victory against Pitt
Head coach John Szefc and the Virginia Tech Baseball team secured two of three games against conference foe Pitt over 2026 Hokie Hi: Weekend at Home, outscoring the Panthers 21-16 in the series win.
The Hokies wasted no time getting started in the series opener on April 17. After entering the bottom of the fourth inning with a 2-1 lead on Friday afternoon, Tech sent a staggering 14 batters to the plate in what became a nine-run frame at English Field. The effort marks the best offensive inning for the Hokies in the 2026 season, eclipsing a seven-run inning and no-hitter against Radford on Tuesday, April 14.
Leading the team in Friday’s win was first baseman Ethan Gibson, whose two-hit effort in the fourth brought home three runners in the busy inning. On the mound, veteran Brett Renfrow delivered mightily, allowing just two runs on three hits through six innings. The junior fanned nine opposing batters while walking two.
Tech would go on to secure the series victory in thrilling fashion at the rubber match on Sunday, April 19, by a score of 6-5. The Hokies would battle back from a 4-2 deficit entering the seventh inning to secure the series win.
The Hokies latched onto a glimmer of hope after Pitt left-hander Vincent Spizzoucco placed runners on the corners, as Ethan Gibson reached third base from an error and freshman Willie Hurt worked a walk in the bottom of the seventh. With just one swing, fifth-year Owen Petrich turned the tide for the Hokies, sending a three-run moonshot clear over the centerfield wall to give the Hokies a 5-4 lead. The home run, which was estimated at 421 feet, was the fourth of Petrich’s season.
Pitt would not go quietly, however, as a ninth-inning double from Joey Baran tied the game at five runs apiece. In response, Tech’s second home run in three innings secured the walk-off victory as a scorcher from Hudson Lutterman cleared the left field wall. The hit was the fourth walk-off hit of Tech’s season and the second that came from the long ball.