Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In a clubhouse housing the nation's fifth highest slugging percentage (.590) sits a breakout story in fifth-year outfielder Ben Watson.
Watson transferred into Virginia Tech this offseason from Elizabethtown College (NCAA Division III), where he was one of the classification's hottest hitters. Through four seasons with the Blue Jays, Watson started 107 of his 111 games played, batting .420 and slugging .734 with 40 doubles, 19 triples, 17 home runs and 117 RBIs.
Jumping two levels in the collegiate game, many expected Watson to undergo a natural statistical regression during his 2024 season at Virginia Tech.
If only he had received the message.
Watson has been a prime factor in the Hokies' strongest start to ACC play during their league tenure, leading the team in hits (45). Entering Friday's series opener against Georgia Tech, he also ranks sixth among ACC hitters in batting average (.388).
During his time in Division III, Watson set himself apart as on offensive powerhouse. By his junior season with the Blue Jays, he decided he was equipped with the work ethic and talent to potentially make a jump to the Division I level.
Since arriving at Virginia Tech this fall, the graduate student has made 29 outfield starts, logging a hit during 25 of his 30 games played, highlighted by his 18-game hitting streak between Feb. 23 and March 24.
Coming out of high school, the native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, had no Division I or Division II offers, but found a home at Elizabethtown, making a name for himself with his .814 slugging percentage during the 2023 campaign. Watson was named the 2023 Landmark Conference Player of the Year and placed on the 2023 D3baseball.com All-America First Team, but after completing his final season with the Blue Jays, knew it was time to challenge himself.
"I want to prove to kids that are late bloomers," Watson described, "if you put your mind to it and work as hard as you can, you can surprise yourself."
Following his fall season with the Hokies, Watson had a strong start to the 2024 regular season, making his Blacksburg debut during Tech's February home opener against Rhode Island. That day, he batted 4-for-6 in pinstripes, finishing a single away from hitting for the cycle during the Hokies' monster, 18-3 win against the Rams.
"The first four games [entering that home opener], I sort of struggled," Watson said in reflection of his breakout performance. "That was a low of the roller coaster so it was nice to prove myself. 'Okay, I can do this.' It was nice to break out and introduce myself."
An introduction it was, for sure. Watson's four hits against Rhode Island manifested into an 18-game hitting streak which included 11 multi-hit contests. Coming out of Tech's March 19 victory against ETSU, he was batting .413 through his first 19 career Division I games.
Watson lends his hitting prowess to his two college head coaches, having played for head coach Adam Sheibley at Elizabethtown and receiving fine-tuning from head coach John Szefc and the entire Hokies' hitting staff.
"All the resources we have – the food, the travel – it's completely different," said Watson. "The level of attention and time that goes into us as a team, it makes all the difference.
"All of the technology, also – seeing numbers on every single ball we hit, seeing pitch locations and full scouting reports on every pitcher we face – we have a true game plan when we step into the box."
Virginia Tech's coaching staff, known best for its developmental approach to building relatively unknown talents into elite college stars, has fostered a baseball culture in Blacksburg that allows a self-proclaimed 'late-bloomer' like Watson to grow into an integral part of the team's trajectory. Through his growth, Watson has adjusted well to the differences between the two college divisions he has played at, making the center fielder a bonafide contributor in the "Hammerin' Hokies" lineup.
"It's been very different, all of the kids coming up after games, asking for autographs. It really puts things into perspective," said Watson. "How cool is it that all we have to do is sign a ball and we just made that kid's week."
Watson and No. 16 Virginia Tech open a three-game ACC series at Georgia Tech on Friday, April 12. Game times between the Hokies and the Yellow Jackets are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday (April 13) and 1 p.m. on Sunday (April 14).