Virginia Tech Baseball: Hokies Beat No. 1 Hoos, 2-1

The Hokies were faced with quite the predicament Friday morning as they were set to take on the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers at English Field. Nathan Kirby, a likely top five pick in the MLB Draft this June, was set to take the mound. To make matters even worse, the infamous Blacksburg wind was howling in from straight-away center field. Whatever the game plan for facing Kirby was going into the day, it was clear a switch to small-ball was the best option for the Hokies.

"Once we got here and sort of evaluated the elements and see the wind blowing in and playing one of the best pitchers in the country, we were definitely going to try to play for one run every inning we had an opportunity to do that," said Coach Pat Mason.

Five hits, seven walks, and six sacrifice bunts later, the Hokies stunned No. 1 UVA with a 2-1 victory to take Game 1 from the 'Hoos.

Sean Keselica went the distance for the Hokies and dominated the young UVA lineup. Keselica allowed one unearned run to score in the first after a Ricky Surum error, but the 'Hoos never got a runner past first base from then on.

Saige Jenco led off the bottom of the first with a one-hopper to the right side and flashed his game-changing speed as he beat Kirby in a footrace to the bag. Alex Perez laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Jenco to second and Erik Payne grounded out to the right side to advance Jenco to third. With two outs and a runner at third, Brendon Hayden continued his offensive tear with an RBI single to right field to tie the game at one.

While Keselica maintained complete control throughout the afternoon, Kirby struggled to find his normally flawless command and the Hokies had several chances to take the lead during the middle innings. The Hokies were unable to take advantage, though, and Kirby lasted into the eighth inning before his pitch count finally caught up to him. After 118 pitches from Kirby, Jack Roberts came on for UVA in the eighth and got two quick outs to send the game to the ninth still even at one.

Keselica, who ended the day at 102 pitches, showed no signs of tiring as he retired the Cavaliers 3-4-5 hitters to bring the game into the bottom of the ninth. With the Hokies needing a baserunner, Surum worked an important leadoff walk to give the Hokies a chance to utilize more small-ball. Jenco placed a perfect sacrifice bunt down the third base line that was bobbled by UVA third baseman Kenny Towns to place runners at first and second with no outs.

The Hokies then executed their sixth sacrifice bunt of the afternoon to advance Jenco and Surum to second and third, respectively.

The Cavaliers opted to intentionally walk Payne to load the bases, giving themselves an opportunity to potentially turn an inning-ending double play. With UVA skipper Brian O'Connor looking on from the Hokies indoor hitting facility down the left field line after being ejected in the eighth inning, pitching coach Karl Kuhn summoned closer Josh Sborz from the bullpen.

As the sometimes sporadic Sborz warmed up, Hayden knew exactly what he needed to do to give the Hokies the victory.

"My mindset was easy, it was just see everything up (in the zone). I knew I had to drive something to the outfield to score the run," said Hayden.

Hayden never had to take the bat off his shoulders. Sborz was unable to find the strike zone and walked Hayden on four pitches to give the Hokies the walk-off win.

Final pitch of the game. Tech defeats No. 1 UVa 2-1. pic.twitter.com/ZxvpnLQyNy— VT Baseball (@VT_Baseball) March 13, 2015

After the game, both managers heaped praise on Keselica. O'Connor, unwilling to comment on his ejection following a batter's interference call because of NCAA rules, was quick to compliment Keselica's performance.

"Their starting pitcher did a tremendous job, that was the story of the game," said O'Connor.

Mason concurred, simply saying that "It was the best I've seen him look in his four years here."