Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Scoring on each of its four extra-base hits on Friday night, the No. 7 Virginia Tech baseball team earned a statement, series-opening victory at No. 11 Virginia as the Hokies downed the Cavaliers, 5-2, at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park.
With the result, Virginia Tech (30-9, 13-7 ACC) eclipsed 30 regular season wins for the first time since 2013, posting its 20th victory during its last 23 games. Coupled with No. 3 Miami's loss to Georgia Tech on Friday, the Hokies pulled within a game of the first-place Hurricanes in the loss column of the ACC Coastal Division standings.
Carson DeMartini set the tone for Tech during the top of the third inning, breaking the ice when he smacked Nate Savino's 2-2 pitch off the scoreboard in right center field for a solo home run. Nick Biddison kept the inning alive during the ensuing at-bat, drawing the seven-pitch walk that manifested three batters later in an RBI single by Jack Hurley.
Right-hand starter Griffin Green battled to log seven strong innings for Tech, holding Virginia (32-11, 12-9 ACC) to one run while surrendering seven hits and four walks. Green was aided by an outstanding defensive effort by the Hokies who helped him strand seven base runners – including five across the second and third innings without conceding a run.
Tech arguably played its best defensive game of the season, clearing bases routinely for Green to work deep into the game. During the second inning alone, Biddison triggered a 9-4-5 outfield relay that denied Jake Gelof a leadoff triple while Eduardo Malinowski nearly leapt out of his cleats to snag a line drive by Ethan Anderson.
After Casey Saucke had trimmed the Hokies' lead to 2-1 during the fourth inning, Virginia had every intention of chalking a big inning with runners on the corners and none out. However, Tanner Schobel dove to snag Max Cotier's line drive before flipping on his knees to DeMartini, who doubled up Anderson for the second out that squashed the rally.
Tech pounced on reliever Jay Woolfolk during the top of the sixth inning, turning its 2-1 lead into a 4-1 advantage. Conor Hartigan and Lucas Donlon peppered Woolfolk with consecutive RBI doubles on back-to-back pitches – Donlon's deadening itself off the base of the left field wall.
Graham Firoved took the keys from Green at the start of the eighth inning, striking out Alex Tappen before retiring the Cavaliers in order. Despite Biddison and Chris Newell trading solo homers during the ninth inning, Firoved efficiently closed out Virginia for his second save of the season.
UP NEXT
No. 7 Virginia Tech will play for its first-ever road series victory at No. 11 Virginia on Saturday, April 30, when the Hokies contest game two of their three-game ACC set against the Cavaliers. First pitch at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Gallery: (4-29-2022) BSB: at UVA Game 1