Georgia Tech vs Virginia Tech Baseball Recap

(4) Georgia Tech 14, (20) Virginia Tech 12

After winning the first two games in this weekend series, the Virginia Tech Hokies were just one game away from sweeping the fourth-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on the road.  However, a late surge couldn’t overcome the lackluster pitching that ultimately doomed the visiting Hokies.

Virginia Tech’s scheduled starting pitcher Jesse Hahn was scratched before the game and replaced by junior Manny Martir, who normally serves as the Hokies' fourth starter.  Martir struggled on the day, throwing less than 50 percent of his pitches for strikes while giving up two earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Georgia Tech starter Jed Bradley tossed six solid innings for the Yellow Jackets, giving up only three earned runs while striking out six. 

The Hokies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first but the Hokies' bats soon fell silent as Georgia Tech failed to produce another run until the sixth inning.  Meanwhile, Georgia Tech finally saw its offense get back on track as Cole Leonida jacked a two-run shot over the right field fence, giving the Yellow Jackets the lead for good. The number four team in the country took advantage of Virginia Tech's bullpen by committee approach and accumulated a 10-run lead heading into the latter stages of this contest.

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The Hokies saw their bats come alive in the final four innings of this game but it just happened to be too little to late.  Heading into the top of the eighth, the Hokies trailed 13-3 and were all but out of this game.  However, their never-say-die attitude rallied their spirits and enabled them to score seven runs in the eighth, giving them a fighting chance in the top of the ninth.  The eighth inning was capped off by Andrew Sosnoskie’s pinch-hit three-run home run that allowed the Hokies to slide within three runs of Georgia Tech.

After the Yellow Jackets added a solo shot of their own in the bottom of the eighth, Georgia Tech had to try and find four runs in the ninth. Austin Wates walked and eventually advanced to third on a Ronnie Shaban single.  After a Tim Smalling strikeout, Michael Seahorn singled, which allowed Wates to score.  Chris Kay - as the would-be tying run - approached the plate and proceeded to pop up to second, leaving the Hokies with just one out left.  Tony Balisteri managed to single to left, bringing in Shaban, but that would turn out to be all she wrote for the Hokies as Sean Ryan flew out to right field to end the game.

Although the Hokies couldn’t finish off the sweep, winning a road series against the Yellow Jackets will place them firmly in the top 20 in most rankings and will all but secure the Hokies a spot in the upcoming regionals on the first weekend of June.

Next up for Tech is a road trip to a dangerous VMI team on Tuesday and then a home series against the Boston College Eagles next weekend.

By: Justin Clark
ACC Fans Guest Writer