Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Backing another superior, series-opening start by Brett Renfrow on Thursday, the Virginia Tech baseball team comfortably handled Clemson, 5-1, at English Field, taking another meaningful step towards solidifying its postseason credentials.
For the third consecutive time against an ACC opponent, Renfrow carried a shutout into the seventh inning, leaving ample time for the Hokies to build a sizeable lead they would not relinquish. After an efficient opening statement – retiring his first seven batters faced on 20 pitches – the right-hander motored through seven and one-third innings pitched, surrendering a run on six hits to chalk his fourth straight winning decision against conference competition.
In victory, Virginia Tech (28-22, 14-14 ACC) narrowed its potential seed line at the 2026 ACC Baseball Championship, remaining in contention to secure a bye out of the tournament’s first round. Following Thursday’s league results, the Hokies are now eligible for seeds No. 5 through No. 10 – of which the top eight positions would dodge playing in Tuesday’s opening round.
Moreover, Virginia Tech pocketed another Quadrant II win by defeating Clemson (30-24, 9-19 ACC), which had entered the day ranked in the top 40 of the NCAA Division I Baseball RPI. To date, the Hokies now hold 13 season victories against Quadrants I and II along with their own top-40 RPI ranking.
Virginia Tech came out firing during the bottom of the first inning, scoring on three consecutive game-opening hits by Sam Grube, Ethan Gibson and Henry Cooke.
With Grube aboard following his leadoff single, Gibson split the gap in right center field with his towering fly ball that bounced once, up and over the outfield wall, for a ground-rule double. Arriving with two runners in scoring position, Cooke returned starter Dane Moehler’s 2-2 pitch up the middle for the go-ahead RBI single that could have plated both runners had Gibson not been thrown out, 8-2, at the plate.
Virginia Tech’s 1-0 advantage held into the fourth inning where Renfrow experienced his first wave of adversity. Two batters after Nate Savoie’s leadoff single, Luke Gaffney sent a line drive into left field that was lost in the setting sun by Nick Locurto, who had to lay up and concede the single that put two Tigers on base.
However, Renfrow was quick to close the door on Clemson’s fourth inning, battling back from 2-0 down against Tryston McCladdie and 2-1 down against Jack Crighton to collect the inning’s final outs. Despite the right-hander tossing a three-up, three-down fifth inning, the Hokies’ lineup was quietly kept in check by the Tigers’ reliever, Danny Nelson, who – outside a handful of walks – kept the home team hitless through his first three innings of relief.
Nursing a one-run lead, Virginia Tech finally managed to blow the doors off during the bottom of the sixth inning, hitting for the cycle as a team to plate four mammoth insurance runs.
Pete Daniel’s RBI triple – his first in Blacksburg pinstripes – over center fielder Bryce Clavon’s head put the Hokies ahead, 2-0, placing him in prime position to score on Hudson Lutterman’s ensuing pinch-hit, RBI ground-rule double that was batted towards left center field. Lutterman’s journey around the bases could not have been made easier as he proceeded to trot home on Owen Petrich’s two-run homer to left field (estimated at 388 feet) – the third baseman’s fifth home run of the 2026 season.
Staking the 5-0 lead, Clemson answered for one run during the top of the seventh inning courtesy of two-out hits by Crighton (double) and Tyler Lichtenberger (RBI single). Renfrow recovered to pick up the final out of the seventh inning, soon passing the torch to Preston Crowl, who collected the game’s final five outs in succession.
Grube finished 2-for-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch, reaching base four times to lead Virginia Tech at the plate.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will look to clinch a key late-season ACC series against Clemson on Friday, May 15, at English Field. First pitch between the Hokies and the Tigers is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
REMAINING SERIES PROBABLE STARTERS
• Friday (May 15): Michael Sharman (6-1, 3.25 ERA) vs. Logan Eisenreich (1-2, 7.11 ERA)
• Saturday (May 16): Aidan Knaak (2-6, 5.27 ERA) vs. TBA