After starting the season with a 7-1 record, the Virginia Tech baseball team has experienced a significant downturn. They recently welcomed the Pittsburgh Panthers to town for a three-game series at English Field. The Hokies were hoping to regain momentum as the calendar moves closer to May.
The team began the series on a positive note, winning the first game 11-6 on Friday night. This victory put them in a strong position to take the series on Saturday night, as they held a 4-1 lead through seven innings. However, the bullpen struggled and allowed the Panthers to come back, ultimately winning the game 5-4.
This loss was just another in a string of tough setbacks for head coach John Szefc and his squad. The Hokies have consistently faced challenges late in games, which have cost them crucial wins. This trend continued during their matchup against Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
On Sunday, the teams played the final game of the series, and it initially looked like Virginia Tech would fall short again. They found themselves trailing 3-1 in the third inning. However, the Hokies made a strong comeback, taking a 5-4 lead into the top of the ninth inning. Unfortunately, history repeated itself when the team once again failed to secure the win, allowing the Panthers to tie the game.
Joey Baran delivered a clutch double that brought in Trey Fenderson to tie the score. In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Hokies needed just five pitches to walk off the Panthers and claim a dramatic victory.
Hudson Lutterman was the hero of the day, hitting a solo home run over the fence in left field to seal the win for the Hokies. The team had been struggling to maintain their lead, especially in the seventh inning when they were down 4-2. Owen Petrich stepped up with a three-run home run, giving Virginia Tech a 5-4 advantage.
This win was crucial for the Hokies, as it improved their overall record to 19-19 and their ACC record to 9-12. The team will now travel to Richmond for a non-conference game against VCU on Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. Before that, they will host North Carolina State for a three-game ACC series next weekend.
The series victory over Pittsburgh was a much-needed boost for the Hokies, showing that they still have the ability to rally and come through in high-pressure situations. With the upcoming games ahead, the team will look to build on this momentum and continue their push toward the end of the season.
