Virginia Tech vs Radford Baseball Recap

(20) Virginia Tech 16, Radford 6

In college baseball, midweek games can become rather tricky.  Just ask the first-ranked Wahoos of Virginia, who were blown out by VMI last Tuesday. However, UVA's rival, the Virginia Tech Hokies, avoided an upset loss and managed to put on quite an offensive show against the Radford University Highlanders on Tuesday afternoon in Radford, Virginia.

Tech junior Austin Wates started the show with an RBI single in the top of the first, scoring teammate Tim Smalling.  Radford managed to answer with a run of its own against the Hokies' Manny Martir in the bottom of the first.  However, the Hokies proved to be too much to handle over the final eight innings. 

Left fielder Buddy Sosnoskie homered over the left field fence to give Tech the lead for good in the second inning.  Later on in the frame, Steve Domecus doubled with the bases loaded, scoring the Hokies' final three runs in a four-run second.

Catcher Anthony Sosnoskie provided a spark in the third inning as he blasted a 400-foot -plus home run to center field.  The homer ended Paul DeVito’s day on the mound as the Radford starter was pulled after just 2 1/3 innings. DeVito gave up six earned runs. His replacement didn’t fare any better as the Hokies posted eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings.  Domecus continued his tear, driving in two on a double in the top of the fourth and singling to right field in the fifth, giving him six RBIs for the game.

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Tech managed to score 14 of its 16 runs in the first five innings before pulling its starters in the top of the sixth. Martir lasted for just 3 1/3 innings but gave the Hokies' top three starters a chance to rest until this weekend's series with Georgia Tech in Atlanta.  The junior allowed four earned runs while striking out four and giving up just four hits.

Tech used four pitchers in this game, including freshman Joe Mantiply, who replaced Martir in the fourth inning.  The freshman pitched a solid 2 2/3 innings, giving up only one earned run and striking out one.  Junior Sean McDermott took over in the bottom of the seventh and kept the Highlanders in check, giving up only one run and striking out three.  Then freshman Joe Joyce closed out a hitless ninth inning to seal the win over the Highlanders.

Next up for Virginia is a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, to take on the fourth-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who are 31-5 on the season. 

By: Justin Clark
ACC Fans Guest Writer