Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE, N.C. – Three days after penning the longest scoreless start of his collegiate career, Virginia Tech junior right-hander Brett Renfrow was named ACC Pitcher of the Week, as announced during the conference’s weekly awards presentation on Monday.
From his most traditional role as the Hokies’ series-opening starter, Renfrow dealt eight shutout innings against NC State on April 24, holding a top-30 NCAA Division I offense to three hits – a tie for its lowest output of the season. In complete command, the two-time All-ACC pitcher retired 24 of 29 batters faced, never allowing a runner beyond second base while racking up nine strikeouts for the second consecutive start.
Landing 76 of his 108 pitches for strikes (70.4 percent), Renfrow showcased one of the more precise outings of his career, reaching only three three-ball counts – one resulting in a come-from-behind strikeout. Spotted a 3-0 lead by his offense through three innings of play, he collected 12 straight outs from the end of the fourth inning into the eighth inning, sitting everyone down during his third trip through the Wolfpack’s lineup.
Finishing three outs shy of achieving Virginia Tech’s first complete game shutout against the ACC since 2011 (Joe Parsons), Renfrow departed with the security of left-hander Chase Swift, who retired NC State in order on 11 pitches to assure the starter’s third winning decision of the season. Together, Renfrow and Swift clocked the Hokies’ second combined shutout within a six-game window and the program’s first against the ACC since April 2023.
Considering his six most recent appearances (all against the ACC), Renfrow has pitched to the tune of a 3-1 record, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while averaging 6.22 innings per start and 11.57 strikeouts per nine innings. Each of his three quality starts during the interval have featured nine or more strikeouts – highlighted by his 12-strikeout performance (career high) on March 28 against Stanford – resulting, more importantly, in Virginia Tech victories.
To date, Renfrow ranks in a tie for sixth among ACC hurlers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.18) and among the top 60 NCAA Division I pitchers nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (11.76). He is seeking to become the Hokies’ first arm to exceed 100 strikeouts during a single season since 2010 (Justin Wright).
Renfrow is slated to make his next start for Virginia Tech during the Hokies’ upcoming away ACC series at Cal from Friday, May 1, to Sunday, May 3. Prior to then, Virginia Tech will host James Madison at English Field on Tuesday, April 28 (first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. ET).