Hokies created by perseverance
The Hokies were hot on the mound and at the plate for the first two innings, and despite being down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, Tech got back on track at the plate in the top of the second.
Duke junior starter Ryan Higgins struck out senior Gehrig Ebel in the second inning. However, after getting four straight outs to start the game, Higgins walked four Hokies on consecutive balls, giving senior Eddie Mikuletti Sr. the first score of the game.
Higgins was struck out after walking, but Virginia Tech’s patient approach to the plate was a big start in the second inning, as the Hokies held Higgins to 42 pitches in just 1.1 innings.
The Hokies eventually scored five runs in the inning on a 3-run, 384-footer by junior Carson DeMartini, the only hit of the inning. It was DeMartini’s 21st home run of the season, the most by a Hokie in a single season since Trey McCoy hit 24 in 1988.
Analysis of the top of the 3rd inning
Junior Wyatt Parliament anchored the five-run inning and got Duke to three straight outs in the bottom of the second, including two strikeouts, but the Blue Devils’ lineup got past Parliament after getting the first six batters out.
Junior Devin Obie led off the bottom of the third with a triple. The next batter, junior Wallace Clark, walked to put runners on the corners for Duke. Graduate Zack Morris quickly got the Blue Devils back into the contest with a three-run homer that was reviewed twice before being ruled a home run.
Graduate Ben Miller hit a double in his next at-bat to end Congress’ day, and graduate Matthew Shivering was sent to the Hokies. But Shivering proved in the inning that he was not the Hokies’ savior.
Miller hit the first batter he faced and allowed back-to-back singles to center field for a total of three runs, before being replaced by junior Jordan Little.
The Blue Devils continued to lead 6-5 heading into the fourth inning.
Following Duke’s inning, the Hokies went four scoreless innings, but the Blue Devils scored four more runs in that span. Virginia Tech was finally able to score on a sacrifice fly by graduate Ben Watson and a two-run home run by freshman David McCann in the seventh and eighth innings.
Duke won 11-8. The Blue Devils defeated the Hokies 11-5.
Two biggest points
Virginia Tech scored eight points. Yet, they somehow still struggled to hit walks. Five of the Hokies’ eight points came on four consecutive walks in the second inning. Tech’s approach at the plate was effective, resulting in 11 walks for the team. However, the Hokies didn’t have enough solid base hitting tonight to keep up with the fiery Blue Devil bats.
On the mound, the Hokies struggled mightily after the first two innings. Parliament’s start quickly deteriorated, with reliever Shivering unable to produce results. Little was the bright spot on the mound for Tech. As a reliever for Shivering, Little pitched 2.1 innings, giving up one run, one walk, and four strikeouts.
If the Hokies want to win the ACC Tournament, their starting pitchers will need to pitch at least 2.1 innings. Limiting extra-base hits should be a priority for the pitching staff, as Parliament allowed three runs in his starting appearances.
Virginia Tech is technically still in the tournament, but it’s the lowest seed in its bracket, so this loss will almost certainly end their season in their next game.
The Hokies will play North Carolina State tomorrow at 7 p.m.
