Game 1 is already done - so much for the Zags pitching staff who got worked, and Columbia moves on by a score of 8-2.
Hokies and Weight State get at it at 7pm.
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Also across the other regionals - LOTS of blowouts happening this afternoon. ACC teams so far are 3-2 with Louisville, UNC, and FSU winning while Wake and GT already find themselves in the losers bracket.
Roll Humps 🐪🐪🐪
Columbia looked really good
LETS GO!
Hokies!
Reserved seats are half empty for vt game, jeesh.......
BOOM! 2-0 good guys
That was fast 😳
4-0 good guys 🦃
Alot of emptiest seats behind home plate
I know, right?
Drink! (Its Friday night)
I didn't bring my ID with me😂
Are the other empty seats less empty than those? /s
Sorry team - was just now able to tune in and now Wright is on the board. Turning the game off...
I lied. I'm back. Two words:
SMALL BALL!
Hokies storming back in front with the small balll......also, i think I found the grown up version of Lupus from the Bad News Bears. #55 For Wright State.
An hour long 5th inning and a good bottom inning to answer wright state. The announcer for this game is alot of fun and you can't ell theyre enjoying it. Not typical accn oddities
Um, VT pitching needs to tighten up.......
5 point lead is cursed
Yeah, don't feel great about advancing from the regional if we don't fix our pitching, it's been pretty bad for about a month now....
WHY do Virginia Tech sports teams insist on making life so much harder than it has to be? 🤦🏻♂️
Question (cause I'm ignorant of this): What is the pitching count/inning limits for ncaa division 1 in this tournament?
No limits on pitches/innings. Honor/shame system only.
I've watched two VT baseball games in my life. The UNC game last week where we got crushed and this one. Hokie baseball is stressful.
Ok not as much anymore
Are these the announcers for the entire Regional?
I would assume so. I thought they were perfectly fine.
I don't watch enough collegiate baseball but I'm guessing pitching just simply isn't as good at this level as the pros so I'm guess closers aren't really a common thing? That was a shaky of a game as you can have scoring 15 runs. Should coach reduce pitching changes I feel like he pulls guys really quickly sometimes.
And how many active pitchers are on the roster? Jeez that was a lot for both teams.
Usually about half of the roster is pitchers!
Good to know! I was sweating every time we brought in a new pitcher, thinking "this has gotta be one of the last ones they have."
I don't watch a lot of collegiate baseball either, but I noticed two things similar to you:
(1) the pitchers have very small repertoire and pitch a lot of fastballs with average movement
(2) there are about 1-2 mental mistakes each inning; whether it's hitting the cutoff man, covering a bag, chasing down a baserunner, etc. -- it's a lot; and while I expected less talent than watching MLB, I didn't expect so many mistakes that are easily correctable with better decision making -- I will say the Hokies did play better in the field than Wright State, but definitely made some mistakes that frustrate the hell out of me
So the game is on ESPN + tonight. Anyone have a way to stream online?
Not being snarky but the answer to that is subscribe to ESPN+
"Not being snarky" is code for "I'm gonna be snarky anyways and the next thing I say will not be helpful at all." There are usually streaming threads for basketball and football on Reddit but can't find any for baseball. I'm new to college baseball so looking for some help
I bought the ESPN?+ app for SB last weekend. I still needed an Xfinity ID to log on. I watched jack shit.
Most of the games for softball last weekend were on TV, so they would have been on the ESPN app, but not part of ESPN+, because you'd need the TV log in. This game is just ESPN+, so no TV log in needed.
USAF
Go here they have a live stream. Columbia U BB.
CUBB
I'm just getting the ESPN+ login. Guess I'll have to do the trial if they have one
Pretty sure I get it for "free" through Verizon for our family cell service plan. Might be worth checking out your subscriptions and see if any of them give you access.
I noticed the catcher and at least one of the other fielders for the softball team in attendance at the game.
Good to see Hokies supporting other Hokies
Do we have the pitching to make any noise?
We have the offense to carry us. My concern is the pitching - they don't need to be perfect but they HAVE to minimize the bad innings. Too many walks recently have created big innings for the other teams. If we can pitch to contact more and keep it in the park then I like our chances of a deep run.
uva @ ECU in Greensville at 4pm gets the ACCN broadcast?!! They prefer not to showcase a ranked acc host school? What a crock.
Edit: probably has more to do with the opponents. UVA/ECU has more of a draw than a VT/Columbia matchup.
Why exactly are we, the top seed in the region, the away team tonight???
Same as the softball regional, we will be home/away/home for the first three games i think. Even though we are hosting we are not the defacto home team every game. A bit confusing but I think the intent is to make it more fair for all the teams
Boo this. Wtf is the point of earning a top seed if you don't get the spoils of what a top seed should get.
No offense, but this has been the format for baseball and softball for a good while now. Are you just now realizing this?
In the super regional stage, for baseball if a third game is required, the home team is determined by a coin flip.
The advantage you earn by being a top seed is by not having to travel and playing in your home park with your fans. The results since 1999 when the tournament went to 64 teams generally favors the host teams.
I am actually. Seems like something that needs to be adjusted.
It's basically the same in professional sports. Look at any sport that plays elimination series - baseball, basketball, hockey. The higher seed doesn't permanently play at home, but they are given home field advantage so they are home in potentially decisive games in the series.
Gonzaga advances and eliminates Wright, but their pitching got shelled once again in their 11-9 victory. Whatever it is, this isn't the same pitching staff that was heralded coming into this and now they are taxed going in to tomorrow's elimination game.
Also - GT and Wake live to see another game, and Liberty is ousted. You hate to see it.
Bret Boretti thinks Pat Nardouchie is one fantastic coach; if not, the best of all time.
Let's go!!!
Hokies!
Leaving a lot stranded early
If you are at the game, please go to the beer concession and buy one from my son. Tip heavily. Too many "send money" calls to his mother lately.
I bet the guys spinning their arms behind home plate have visited him several times already.
Can anyone give and update? Cant watch tonight cause im travelling....
I can't watch either but ESPN does have live scoring. Top of 4th, huge inning for the Hokies. We've scored 9 this inning and have 1 out. 10-2 Hokies
https://www.espn.com/college-baseball/game/_/gameId/401444600
Edit: Now 11 runs this inning, 12-2
Edit: 13-2, still 1 out, runners on 1st and 2nd. Man I wish this was on TV
Edit: 15-2, still 1 out
Edit: Inning done, leading 15-2, I'll stop now :)
Started the bottom of 4th inning down 2-1
It's currently 15-2 and only 1 out in the 4th
Currently 12-2 Tech in the top of the 4th now, with VT still batting.
Also, the slow-mo replay of Demartini doing what I assume was a big dick celebration, and the PBP asking the color guy, "What to you call that", was just *chef's kiss*.
LOL inside the park HR on a routine fly ball to left field that got lost in the lights, not sure I have ever seen that before. This game is just bonkers.
Three lost balls in the stadium lights. How? This is nuts
Blacksburg Eye Associates needs to offer that left fielder a NLI deal
Wow....this is really tough to watch
The softball game was hard to watch. This is beautiful
Agreed, go Hokies!
Just getting back to the hotel to follow on game cast. 18-3 Hokies, top of the 6th.
20-3 after a throwing error by the pitcher
Is there a run rule in baseball?
Up 10 after 7 if conference rule or both coaches agree beforehand.
There is a mercy rule in college baseball, but it rarely happens as the head coaches have to mutually agree to the outcome.
We may find out. Gorram, guys, I know they're Columbia but those boys have mothers.
Does Columbia have to play Gonzaga tonight? If so they might want to get this over with.
Tomorrow at 1
21-3 after a wild pitch
lot of subs now.
Wild pitch scores another
22-3
Hokies now tied with FSU for most runs scored in the first two games of the regional by an ACC team.
Aaaaaand there's the record.
24-3 off of a two run jack
So what now, do we play a third game in this regional?
Yup.
The regional is a four team double elimination tournament
Yes. The Hokies will play whoever wins the Gonzaga/Columbia game tomorrow.
We have to win 1, the other team will have to beat us twice.
Random interviews with whomever on the team is near the headset on the air is fun
I turned a baseball game on and a football score broke out.
I'm glad we went for 2 before getting the safety.
This is absurd, please bring home the natty!!
Umm. I checked in late to this one, but I imagine the broadcast sounded something like "Touchdown Tech!" for most of the game.
Mostly just 2 in the fourth frame with a fairly constant trickle besides that
More runs last night than points scored in 6 football games last season...
So you're saying we should give our football team bats? I think that will lead to unnecessary roughness calls.
If it's more 1980s Kathy Ireland, I'll allow it
qualified
For those not already tracking - 2nd elimination game today @1pm between Gonzaga and Columbia (game is on ESPN+). Hokies play the winner tonight @7pm (dont know yet which network will have the coverage).
Every other elimination game today is being carried by ESPN+ with the following exceptions:
- Louisville vs Oregon (ACCN)
- Georgia vs UNC (ESPNU)
- Central Michigan vs Florida (SECN)
- FSU vs UCLA (ESPN 2)
Here it is, 3pm and no one knows where this game will be televised???
I may not be able to watch the game live and would sure like to record the game.
Jeez!
Just gonna assume ESPN+ for now I guess
ESPNU and ACCN have the 7PM timeslot as teams TBA. The 7PM game possibilities are as follows (ACC teams in bold):
I would expect #1 Tenn to get the ESPNU game, but it's possible they're on ACCN if ESPN desires another matchup (but who? Arkansas v OSU maybe). If GT is on ESPNU, that leaves ND, VT, WF and FSU as possibilities on the ACCN, with WF and FSU needing to win their elimination game. My guess is #14Auburn v. FSU and maybe ND v. GA So./TT would be selected over #4 VT v. Columbia.
So, route for UCLA to win and it makes it more likely for VT to be on ACCN, but may be all moot if ACCN goes with ND anyways or if Tenn v. WF isn't picked up on ESPNU.
Update: And what should have been completely expected but I didn't anticipate based on timing: ACCN coverage now begins at 6PM to cover UNC v. VCU, because we don't get enough UNC and the UNC v. UGA game on ESPNU earlier today was not enough. *sigh*
They're probably waiting to see what the actual matchups will be based on the 1 PM games.
ESPNU, SECN, and ACCN all have college baseball regional games scheduled at 7 PM. ESPN2 has one scheduled for 9 PM, but that's probably the Corvallis region game based on the overall schedule.
SECN is showing Kentucky spring game on my schedule at that 7PM timeslot, but YTTV could have it wrong, or it could be based on regionality (I'm on West coast).
I'm looking directly at the schedule on the ESPN website. The Kentucky Spring Game is scheduled for 4 PM ET but right now they have the Florida/CMU game running over.
OK, well YTTV is wrong then.
It would not surprise me to see ESPN to use ACCN as proxy to show three SEC matchups at the 7PM timeslot. If FSU loses, I would lol if they show Tenn v. GT on ACCN to get OU/UF on ESPN2 and either Auburn or Arkansas or LSU on SECN.
So how does this championship game work? Since we haven't lost and it's a double elimination tourney, if we lose tonight is there a second game?
Yep. Whoever wins at 1pm today has to beat us twice.
If a 2nd game is necessary it would be Monday!
Because of the differences in pitching I think it is much harder in baseball than softball to come back and win two in a row.
Ideal scenario developing in the Gonzaga v. Columbia. Both teams in their bullpen early and pitch counts are high. With the extended BP use yesterday by Columbia, their staff will be tired. If Gonzaga can put up a fight and make a comeback of sorts, Columbia will have to use up more of their staff. The hammering Hokies should be licking their chops.
Update: Gonzaga not putting up much of a fight. Columbia's RP put up 5 1/3 innings of three run (1 ER) ball. Can Columbia put up numbers like that again against VT tonight?
loluva just blew a 6 run lead to coastal Carolina in their elimination game! 6-6 now, top of the 8th.
Coastal prevails in a walkoff!
uva going home.
Too bad there's a shortage of the b00h00s secret formula
Hokies batters looking ahead to tonight's rematch against the Columbia pitching staff be like
I just hope they don't overlook them.
I hope the lights stay on
Only 7 runs...must've been tired from scoring 24 yesterday
Guess it's Columbia again. At this rate, they may have the hot dog guy warming up in their bullpen.
Their rested staff gave up 15 walks last night. As long as our hitters can stay disciplined and not lose focus this could be fun to watch.
The Sunday night game will be on ESPN+ at 7pm.
My feed on ESPN+ is super choppy and laggy. Anyone else having this struggle?
First batter reached for Columbia, then Metz struck out the next two, before getting the out to end the first inning.
Hokies up
SLEDGEHAMMER TIME
Schobel goes deep, scoring Cross. 2-0 Hokies
Lot closer of a scoreline 3 innings in 😬
I haven't kept up much with VTBB this season. What's with the hammer thing? This isn't like LOLUVA pavers motivation technique is it? 😂
Tech is 10-6 in games decided by 3 or less on the year.
Also: Story of the Hammer on TSL
Man I love that Lecrae track. What a prop!
3-1 Hokies in the Bottom of the 3rd. 1 out, bases loaded, Hartigan at the plate, DeMartini on deck
Edit: Back to back Strikeouts
Leaving bases loaded out there hurt.
Way too many LOB so far for my liking
May seems to be one of Columbia's best pitchers put of the pen. He pitched 3 innings (40 pitches) of shutout ball on Friday. 1 2/3 innings (31 pitches) thus far tonight, including slamming the door on a bases loaded 1 out in 3rd. It's hard to imagine him going too more than another inning or 2, and the Hokies need to work him as Columbia probably should pitch him until his arm falls off.
SLEDGEHAMMER
6-1 Hokies
SLEDGEHAMMERX3
7-1 Hokies
Back to back jacks immediately after showing Frank Beamer
Firoved with back to back Ks to end the scoring threat
Weycker with the clutch K. Hokies out of a jam, up 7-2 Bottom 8
3 outs from the Supers
Weycker with the K to start the 9th
Grounder to 3rd. 1 out away
Super Hokies
Blacksburg Super Regional
FAM!
⚾FAM⚾
LET'S GOOOOOO! I thought this team would be a bit better than last years but GOD DAMN NOT THIS MUCH BETTER 😂
Not too bad for the team picked to finish last in the ACC.
6th in the Coastal***
ESPN+ lady kept saying we were picked last in the conference. I like that storyline better...better Cinderella.
Miami, UVA, FSU, and GT all eliminated today and UNC with a chance to be done tomorrow as well, how unfortunate 🦃
Awww, but we wanted them to accumulate tournament units to increase our share of future TV revenue.... oh wait, never mind.
Uva fans crying that we got a soft regional and all the other teams pitching were terrible when you can look at all the scores from this weekend where teams scored 10-20 runs a game but yeah only the blacksburg regional had bad pitching 😂🤡
Um do they know that when you are then #4 team that they give you an easier region then when you are a lower seed? Otherwise what's the point of the regular season.
Well that's just crazy. If that were true, a #1 seed would open with the weakest opponent and should never lose, and we all know that's not the case. /s
😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Maybe they need a reminder to look at my signature?
Left that one slow and fat over the plate. Thank you for being all over it!
Someone help me out here. Am I rooting for Florida or Oklahoma today?
From a numbers standpoint I'd go with Oklahoma.
According to the D1 Rankings page, Oklahoma was ranked at the end of the season while Florida was not. However, Florida is the favorite and they are hosting the regional. According the the Massey Rankings, Florida is the 7th best team and Oklahoma 20th. Both teams have top 20 offenses, but Florida's pitching was much better than Oklahoma's.
Asteroid
Based on recent history I don't want a Florida team coming to Blacksburg.
Anyone have any intel on what the delay between the UF/OU elimination game is for? I don't see any weather in the area.
Twitter says weather/lightning delay.
Probably a loose alligator on the field
It's weather for sure...live ~30 miles away and nasty t-storms rolling thru since about 3 PM
Just looked at the other scores and the bracket - only 5 of the regionals are done and there is still plenty of baseball on today/tonight, so get your $7 worth for those that payed for ESPN+ this weekend:
12pm - Louisville vs Michigan (ESPN+)
1pm - Florida vs OU (ESPNU)
1pm - Ole Miss vs Arizona (ESPN+)
1pm - ECU vs Coastal Carolina (ESPN+)
4pm - LSU vs Southern Miss (ESPNU)
4pm - Oregon St. vs Vandy (SECN)
6pm - VCU vs UNC (ACCN)
7pm - Uconn vs MD (ESPNU)
7pm - Oklahoma St vs Arkansas (ESPN2)
10pm - Stanford vs Texas State (ESPN2)
Carolina beats VCU to advance :/
I was rooting for the Rams. That UNC crowd was hyped.
Oklahoma with a two run shot in the top of the 8th to tie it up with Florida 3-3. Winner plays us.
5-3 Oklahoma going into the bottom of the 8th
We play Oklahoma on Friday!
The last time we played Oklahoma in postseason baseball, it didn't go very well. I was there. ☹
Yeah but we didn't have the talent back in 2013 like we do this year
Hope they don't take our coach again
That was the final blow to us fans that year.
Last time one of our highly ranked teams played Florida, it didn't go well.
According to the NCAA website times/dates aren't set yet. It could either run Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon.
Not to get waaaaaaaaay to far ahead of things, but can you imagine making the CWS and the bracket being Notre Dame, VT, Louisville, and ECU?
Please God not ECU
They wouldn't play us citing a hurricane...in Nebraska...in June
Tornados, probably.
As much as we dont care for their fans I say bring it on and lets shut them up for a while.
How do they do the two CWS brackets? Is it reseeded, or is it pre-set based on the super-regional?
Pre-Seeded.
If we advance we will be bracketed with the winners of:
#1Tennessee/Notre Dame
#8ECU/#9Texas
#5TCU/#12Louisville
Maybe it's just me, but I thought Tennessee seemed like an awfully cocky bunch in Saturday's game. And quite frankly, they're in the asteroid game for me with ND. Wouldn't mind seeing them taken out, but I'd hate to see ND advance too. At least they'd be a known entity.
I'm going to be at the beach with my Vol fan in-laws the week of the round robin play. I don't know if I want them to lose to ND so I can lord it over them by watching at the beach house... or if I'd prefer them to get through so we can put them in their place while I'm in the same room watching.
[knock on wood]
The theme song of the Regional:
Hail Columbia, happy landing
Hope you loved all our sledgehamming