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Baseball

Moments of Excellence: Hokies win 2022 Blacksburg Regional

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BLACKSBURG – As the 2022 calendar year comes to a close, Virginia Tech Athletics will spend the month of December celebrating the Hokies' standout achievements from the past 12 months in a campaign called "Moments of Excellence."
 
The "Moments of Excellence" campaign will serve as a look back to the historic highlights and memorable accomplishments in Tech Athletics during 2022. Each varsity sport program will have an outstanding moment featured during December on the official Virginia Tech Athletics website and @HokieSports social media properties. Fans can visit the Hokies' social media directory to stay in contact with Tech Athletics and their favorite sports teams.
 
For the Virginia Tech baseball team, there was no finer moment during its historic 2022 season than dogpiling in front of its home fans in its home ballpark after championing the NCAA Blacksburg Regional.
 
As the No. 4 national seed, Tech avoided second-seeded Gonzaga while defeating fourth-seeded Wright State and third-seeded Columbia (twice) to advance to the program's first NCAA Super Regional – its first to be played at home – during its history.
 
GAME 2: Virginia Tech 15, Wright State 9
Virginia Tech was all-too familiar with its opening round opponent, Wright State, as the two sides had met three months earlier during a three-game series at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. The Hokies' seven-game, season-opening winning streak had ended at the hands of the Raiders, leaving a lasting mark that no lead would be secure until the final bell.
 
Gavin Cross homered two batters into the game to deliver Tech the 2-0 lead – part of his 5-for-6, five-RBI night that would ultimately propel the hosts to victory. Cade Hunter's solo homer during the third inning rushed the Hokies out to the 5-0 advantage, but Wright State rallied against starting pitcher Drue Hackenberg, leveling the game at 5-5 by the midway point.
 
Relying on the esteem of its offense, Tech brought 10 batters to the plate during the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking out for five runs to lead, 10-5. Despite the Raiders bouncing back again, introducing the potential tying runs in scoring position during the sixth inning, Christian Worley slammed the door closed, helping the Hokies ride out the 15-9 win.
 

 
GAME 4: Virginia Tech 24, Columbia 4
On upset alert, Virginia Tech found itself trailing Columbia, 2-1, after three innings of play. Then, the Hammerin' Hokies caught fire.
 
Tech staged one of its most legendary offensive performances, plating 14 runs during the top of the fourth inning to set the program's ACC-era scoring record (since 2005). Conor Hartigan made three plate appearances during the fourth inning alone as the Hokies compiled 10 hits, including five extra-base knocks, to claim the 15-2 lead.
 
Adding three more crooked numbers, Tech catapulted into the regional final courtesy of its 24-4 rout of the Lions, inching one step closer to the tournament's second weekend.
 


GAME 6: Virginia Tech 7, Columbia 2
When Tanner Schobel deposited his two-run home run over the left field wall during the bottom of the first inning, Virginia Tech fans could sense a regional title was waiting for them at the finish.
 
With Ryan Metz pitching four and two-thirds innings of one-run ball, Tech's bats took care of the rest. On back-to-back pitches during the fifth inning, Nick Biddison followed Carson DeMartini's three-run home run with a solo shot to left center field, charging the Hokies out to the 7-1 advantage.
 
Graham Firoved and Henry Weycker toed the rubber for the remainder of the way as Tech completed its undefeated weekend at the NCAA Blacksburg Regional, sending the Hokies onto their first Super Regional.
 

Gallery: (6-5-2022) BSB: NCAA Blacksburg Regional Final vs. Columbia