Hokie ClubUPDATE (March 17, 2023): Due to rain forecast for Sunday in the Miami area, No. 17 Virginia Tech and Miami will now contest a doubleheader on Saturday, March 18, beginning at 2 p.m. There is no longer a game scheduled for Sunday, March 19. The dates and times displayed in the following release have been changed to reflect this new schedule.
No. 11 Virginia Tech (12-4, 1-2 ACC)
at Miami (11-6, 2-1 ACC)
Friday, March 17
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field
8 p.m. ET
ACC Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Saturday, March 18
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field
2 p.m. ET
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Saturday, March 18
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field
Game 1 plus 60 minutes
ACC Network Extra
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – Stepping away from the confines of its home ballpark, the No. 17 Virginia Tech baseball team (12-4, 1-2 ACC) will hop back into ACC action this weekend when it heads south to take on Miami (11-6, 2-1 ACC) at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field (March 17-18).
Friday's series opener between the Hokies and the Hurricanes will air live on ACC Network with coverage beginning at 8 p.m.; Saturday's doubleheader will air live on ACC Network Extra with coverage starting at 2 p.m. Fans may also listen to all three games as called on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
• Friday: Griffin Green (0-1, 7.79 ERA) vs. Karson Ligon (2-0, 3.96 ERA)
• Saturday: Drue Hackenberg (1-1, 2.86 ERA) vs. Gage Ziehl (2-2, 6.75 ERA)
• Sunday: Anthony Arguelles (0-1, 5.74 ERA) vs. Alejandro Rosario (1-2, 9.77 ERA)
HAMMERIN' HEADLINES
- After witnessing the end to its nine-game winning streak last week, Virginia Tech shuffled to No. 17 in D1Baseball's top 25 rankings, checking in as the fourth best ACC program. The Hokies rank as high as No. 15 per Baseball America and remain among the top 20 programs in polls released by Perfect Game (No. 16), USA TODAY Sports (No. 16) and the NCBWA (No. 17).
- Through games completed on March 15, Virginia Tech ranks No. 30 in the NCAA Division I Baseball RPI – four spots behind Miami (No. 26). The Hokies possess a top-70 ranked strength of schedule.
- Tech's power offense continues to live up to its "Hammerin' Hokies" moniker. As of March 15, the Hokies rank among the top 15 NCAA Division I programs in doubles (45), triples (nine), slugging percentage (.578) and scoring (10.2 runs per game).
- Prior to the postponement of its midweek game at ETSU, Virginia Tech had ranked eighth nationally and second among ACC programs in total hits (188). Fifth-year outfielder Chris Cannizzaro leads the country in hits per game (2.19), having totaled 35 through his first 16 appearances with the Hokies.
- Five Tech players head into this weekend's series at Miami batting north of .300 with 30 or more at-bats this season: Clay Grady (.419), Garrett Michel (.356), Carson DeMartini (.351), Christian Martin (.348) and Eddie Eisert (.340).
- Virginia Tech's 29 home runs through its first 16 games are only four off the pace of its 2022 squad (33). Homerless during Saturday's doubleheader against Boston College, the Hokies are seeking to avoid their first three-game spell without circling the bases since May 2021.
- Defensively, Virginia Tech ranks in a tie for 12th nationally and second among ACC programs in fielding percentage (.985).
STORM CHASERS
- Virginia Tech has won two consecutive series against Miami, having prevailed during 2021 in Coral Gables and 2022 in Blacksburg. The Hokies have won four of the last six head-to-head meetings against the Hurricanes (Tech had won one of the previous 18 matchups).
- Current Friday and Saturday starters Griffin Green and Drue Hackenberg both pitched to victory against No. 2 Miami last season. Green struck out seven batters during six innings of work while Hackenberg lasted eight innings (career long), holding the Hurricanes to two runs (one earned) while striking out seven.
- Tech's top three starters in its 2022 lineup – Nick Biddison, Gavin Cross, Tanner Schobel – combined to swing 21-for-38 (.553) during last season's series victory. The Hokies combined to outscore Miami, 30-15 (25-7 during their two wins).
UP NEXT
- No. 17 Virginia Tech will return to Blacksburg for its next home game on Wednesday, March 22, against VMI. First pitch between the Hokies and the Keydets is scheduled for 4 p.m.
- Tickets to Virginia Tech's four remaining ACC regular season home series against Virginia (March 31-April 2), Georgia Tech (April 14-16), North Carolina (April 28-30) and Clemson (May 12-14) are still available at all pricing options. Purchase your tickets today.
- Fans, before making your way to English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park this season, consider reviewing the ballpark's 2023 Visitors Guide.