Virginia Tech vs Boston College Baseball Recap

(18) Virginia Tech 10, Boston College 5

Virginia Tech entered Sunday looking for its first ACC series sweep of the year and thanks to four-run sixth inning, the Hokies were able to take the lead for good and sweep the Boston College Eagles.

With the series in hand but a sweep still there for the taking, Joe Mantiply became the starter for the Hokies and pitched a solid 5 2/3 innings. The freshman allowed four runs and five hits on the day but won the head-to-head battle with Boston College starting pitcher John Leonard, who also lasted just 5 2/3 innings but gave up 11 hits and seven runs (six earned) in his stay on the mound. Tech torched Leonard for four of those seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

For the third time this series, Virginia Tech jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Steve Domecus hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Buddy Sosnoskie from third.

Mantiply was able to hold the Eagles in check until the fourth inning when Mickey Wiswall hit his second home run of the season, tying this game up at 1-1. However, Tech was able to answer in the bottom half of the inning when Tim Smalling scored on a fielding error by Eagle third baseman Anthony Melchionda. The Hokies increased their advantage to 3-1 after five innings on a Domecus single, which scored Sean Ryan from third. 

The sixth inning, however, truly began the fireworks show in Blacksburg, Virginia.  The Eagles started it off with a three-run top half of the inning, taking a 4-3 lead.

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After a couple of singles and a walk, BC's Brad Zapenas approached the plate with the bases loaded.  After replacing Mantiply on the mound, Tech reliever Sean McDermott walked Zapenas, scoring John Spatola from third.  Next, Eagle catcher Garrett Smith singled into right field, scoring two and giving BC a 4-3 edge. 

The Hokies were able to strike back in the bottom half of the innings thanks to a four-run rally.  After singles by Smalling and Ronnie Shaban, the Hokies saw Michael Seaborne and Matt Blow go down swinging.  However, Andrew Rash was able to sneak a single into right field, tying the game at four and setting up a nice two-out rally for Virginia Tech.  Next, Ryan and Sosnokie both singled, scoring the final three runs of the frame. The Hokies exited the sixth with a commanding 7-4 lead. 

The Eagles added one more run in the top of the ninth when Wiswall hit his second home run of the game. However, the comeback fell considerably short as the Hokies swept the Eagles with a comfortable five-run triumph.

By: Justin Clark
ACC Fans Guest Writer