Thursday: Hokies 13, Demon Deacons 2
Joe Mantiply improved his record to a perfect 5-0 with another quality start on Thursday. The Hokie senior went six strong innings, giving up only six hits. The Hokie offense enjoyed on of their best offensive games of the season, as every starter reached base safely and combined for 15 totals hits; including 8 extra base hits (6 doubles, 2 HR). Chad Morgan and Tyler Horan each hit a double and a homerun, combining for 7 RBI.
Friday: Hokies 5, Demon Deacons 3
In Friday’s game, Hokie starter Devin Burke and Wake Forest starter Justin Van Grouw each had dominant outings, with Devin Burke striking out a career high seven batters in 6.2 innings. The Demon Deacons strung together five straight hits in the top of the sixth to score all 3 of their runs. In the bottom of the eight, with one out and runners on first and second, Andrew Rash pulled a pitch just inside the left field foul pole to give the Hokies the lead. Clark Labitan came and got to the final out with the bases loaded in the ninth to record the save.
Pitcher of the Weekend:
Jake Joyce (VT, RHP): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K; Joyce, a senior relief pitcher, has been the Hokies’ most reliable arm out of the bullpen and he once again filled that role in Friday’s game. Entering the game in the top of the seventh for starter Devin Burke, down 3-2, Joyce struck out five batters over two innings and gave up only one hit. These key innings kept Tech within striking distance and setup Andrew Rash’s late game heroics.
Position Player of the Weekend:
Tyler Horan (VT, OF): 5 for 7, 4 R, HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB; A week after being named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week, Horan continued his late season power surge. The senior outfielder continues to swing one of the hottest bats in the country, as he added his team leading 11th homerun and 21st and 22nd doubles over the weekend.
Notes:
It was great to see the Hokie offense continue to thrive in the final regular season series, as they prepare for the ACC tournament. The two victories this weekend helped the Hokies lock up the number 6 seed in the tournament, but more will come in the ACC Tournament Preview feature.
It is also important to note that Chad Pinder played shortstop for both games while Alex Perez was at second base; neither had an error all weekend. This seems to be a comfortable fit for Pinder, and Perez is used to second after playing there behind Johnny Morales last year. This should be a no brainer for the rest of the year due to Perez's poor defense at shortstop, but it's still something to keep an eye on.
This weekend was also Tech's first time winning four consecutive conference series as a member of the ACC!
