Hokie ClubCORAL GABLES, Fla. – Spotting the opposition a handful of crooked numbers on Friday night, the Virginia Tech baseball team was bettered by Miami, 19-1, at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field during a seven-inning game shortened by ACC run rule.
Virginia Tech (14-14, 5-8 ACC) struck first, two batters into the ballgame, when freshman second baseman Ethan Ball ripped his first collegiate triple down the right field line, scoring Pete Daniel from first base.
However, the Hokies discouragingly had to settle for a lone run during the inning as their three- through five-hitters were unable to bring Ball home, bookending two groundouts around a strikeout.
After his comfortable three-up, three-down opening inning on the mound, senior left-hander Brendan Yagesh began witnessing his start unravel during the bottom of the second inning where Miami (23-7, 5-5 ACC) rallied for five runs on five hits.
Despite allowing a leadoff solo home run to Derek Williams that tied the game at 1-1, Yagesh retired two of the next three batters he faced before Alonzo Alvarez’s infield single extended the inning. From there, Fabio Peralta pulled a two-RBI triple down the right field line, preluding a two-run home run by Jake Ogden during the ensuing at-bat that rushed the Hurricanes out to the 5-1 advantage.
Williams continued to irritate Yagesh by leading off the third inning with a double, taking 90 more feet on an outfield misplay by Sam Grube. Two batters later, Williams charged home when the Hokies failed to cover first base on Vance Sheahan’s bunt to the right side, putting runners at first and second base with Miami lying the 6-1 lead.
With Dylan Dubovik batting, Virginia Tech had a chance at turning a 6-4-3 double play that, if completed, could have helped the Hokies avoid further damage later during the inning. However, Daniel’s flip to Ball developed too slowly to seek a second out at first base, leaving the door open for the Hurricanes to keep flexing their offense.
Yagesh was a strike away from ending the third inning, despite losing Ogden to a seven-pitch, bases-loaded walk that upped Miami’s lead to 7-1. With Yagesh departing, the Hurricanes rocked the Hokies’ bullpen in a flash – Alex Sosa came through with a two-RBI single against reliever Danny Lazaro while Brylan West hit a grand slam against Aiden Robertson.
By the end of the third inning, Miami had scored nine runs on four hits and five free passes (four walks, one intentional) to control the 14-1 lead. The Hurricanes finished their scoring barrage by tacking on two runs during the fourth inning and three runs during the fifth inning.
Virginia Tech was held to five hits, tying its lowest total against an ACC opponent this season. Owen Petrich knocked a double during the fifth inning, though was stranded at second base following back-to-back strikeouts by home starter Rob Evans, who lasted five innings and improved his season record to 6-1.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will look to square up the series against Miami on Saturday, April 4, at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. First pitch between the Hokies and the Hurricanes is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
REMAINING SERIES PROBABLE STARTERS
• Saturday (April 4): Brett Renfrow (1-3, 5.83 ERA) vs. Lazaro Collera (3-1, 3.67 ERA)
• Sunday (April 5): TBA vs. TBA