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Hokies Claim Fourth Straight ACC Series Against Clemson

Thomas Disharoon·May 18, 2026

Hokies Surge Past Clemson in Series Opener, 5-1

Virginia Tech Hokies used a dominant sixth inning and a strong performance from Brett Renfrow to defeat the Clemson Tigers 5-1 Thursday night at English Field. With the victory, the Hokies improved to 28-22 overall and 14-14 in ACC play, while Clemson dropped to 30-24 and 9-19 in conference action.

Hokies Strike First Early

Virginia Tech wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the opening inning. Sam Grube led off with a single to left field before Ethan Gibson followed with a ground-rule double to right center. Henry Cooke then continued his hot stretch at the plate, extending his on-base streak to 21 games with an RBI single up the middle to give the Hokies an early 1-0 lead. Clemson threatened later in the inning, but Virginia Tech’s defense held firm to maintain the advantage.

Renfrow Controls the Game on the Mound

Renfrow delivered one of his best starts of the season for the Hokies. The right-hander pitched 7.1 innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out five batters. He consistently worked out of trouble throughout the game and kept Clemson from building momentum offensively. Preston Crowl entered in relief during the eighth inning and closed the door with 1.2 scoreless innings and two strikeouts.

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Sixth Inning Explosion Gives Hokies Separation

After several quiet innings offensively, Virginia Tech broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Sam Gates drew a walk to start the rally before Pete Daniel lined an RBI triple to center field to make it 2-0. The triple also moved Daniel within one of the Virginia Tech single-game record.

Pinch hitter Hudson Lutterman immediately followed with a ground-rule RBI double to left center, extending the lead to 3-0. Moments later, Owen Petrich delivered the biggest swing of the night, blasting a two-run home run to left field for his fifth homer of the season and pushing the Hokies’ advantage to 5-0.

Clemson Finds Late Offense

The Tigers avoided the shutout in the seventh inning when Jack Crighton doubled to right field and Tyler Lichtenberger followed with an RBI single through the right side. Clemson finished with six hits on the night but struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Nate Savoie led Clemson offensively with a 2-for-4 performance, while Lichtenberger drove in the Tigers’ lone run.

Defense Helps Preserve the Win

Virginia Tech also made several key defensive plays throughout the game. In the sixth inning, Henry Cooke threw out Nate Savoie attempting to steal second base before Sam Gates made a diving catch in center field to end the frame and preserve momentum for the Hokies.

The Hokies finished the night without committing an error and backed up their pitching staff with timely defensive execution.

Hokies Look Ahead to Series Opportunity

Virginia Tech will now look to secure another ACC series victory as the Hokies and Tigers continue their weekend series in Blacksburg.

Hokies Walk Off Clemson to Clinch Series

The Virginia Tech Hokies delivered late-game heroics Friday afternoon, rallying in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Clemson Tigers 2-1 at English Field and clinch the ACC series.

Trailing 1-0 entering the final inning, the Hokies pieced together three hits and aggressive baserunning to complete the comeback in front of the home crowd.

Clemson Strikes First

The Tigers broke through in the top of the third inning after Tryston McCladdie reached base and advanced into scoring position. With two outs, Jacob Jarrell lined a single to right field, scoring McCladdie for the game’s first run and a 1-0 Clemson advantage.

Clemson threatened several more times throughout the afternoon, collecting nine hits overall, but repeatedly stranded runners on base. The Tigers left 11 runners aboard and finished just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Jarren Purify led Clemson offensively with two hits and two stolen bases, while Jack Crighton added two singles.

Eisenreich Dominates on the Mound

Virginia Tech starter Logan Eisenreich turned in one of his strongest performances of the season despite allowing the early run. The right-hander struck out a career-high nine batters across six innings while limiting Clemson to one run on seven hits.

Eisenreich was electric early, recording five strikeouts through the first two innings and consistently escaping pressure situations throughout the afternoon.

After Eisenreich exited in the seventh inning, Ethan Grim took over and delivered three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win.

Clemson Pitching Holds Strong

The Tigers matched Virginia Tech pitch-for-pitch for most of the game.

Starter Michael Sharman opened with a scoreless first inning before Clemson turned to Drew Titsworth, who struck out five batters across three scoreless frames. Ariston Veasey followed with three dominant innings of relief, allowing no hits while striking out three.

Entering the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead, Clemson appeared poised to even the series before Virginia Tech’s offense finally broke through against reliever Hayden Simmerson.

Hokies Rally in the Ninth

Virginia Tech’s comeback began when Ethan Ball led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to right-center field.

Following a flyout from Hudson Lutterman, Nick Locurto delivered the game-changing moment with an RBI single to right field, bringing Ball home to tie the game at 1-1.

Pete Daniel then reached on an infield single, placing runners on first and second with one out. Moments later, the Hokies executed an aggressive baserunning play that ended the game dramatically. During a rundown involving Daniel, Locurto raced home with the winning run before the final out could be completed.

The walk-off victory improved Virginia Tech to 29-22 overall and 15-14 in ACC play, while Clemson dropped to 30-25 and 9-20 in conference play.

Looking Ahead

With the series already secured, the Hokies will now attempt to complete their first series sweep of the season when the teams meet again Saturday in Blacksburg.

Clemson Holds Off Virginia Tech Rally in Regular-Season Finale

Virginia Tech Hokies opened the game with a key defensive play from Pete Daniel, who snagged a line drive after Clemson recorded back-to-back hits to begin the afternoon. The catch prevented a potential early scoring opportunity for the Tigers and helped keep the game scoreless in the top of the first inning.

Hokies Explode in the First

Virginia Tech wasted no time taking control offensively in the bottom half of the inning. Ethan Gibson continued his strong season by launching a solo home run to center field, his sixth homer of the year, to give the Hokies a 1-0 lead.

After Henry Cooke drew a walk and Ethan Ball singled up the middle, Hudson Lutterman delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a three-run homer to left field. The blast pushed Virginia Tech ahead 4-0 and energized the crowd at English Field.

Clemson Responds with Big Third Inning

Clemson Tigers baseball answered quickly after scoring once in the second inning on an RBI single from Jay Dillard.

The Tigers took over in the third inning with a five-run outburst. Nate Savoie drove in a run with an infield single before Luke Gaffney crushed a three-run homer to center field to give Clemson a 5-4 lead. Later in the inning, Tyler Lichtenberger stole home during a strikeout sequence, helping Clemson extend its advantage to 6-5.

Virginia Tech Keeps Fighting

The Hokies chipped away in the fourth inning after back-to-back hits from Owen Petrich and Sam Grube put runners in scoring position.

Gibson later worked a walk before Cooke lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, trimming Clemson’s lead to 7-5. Virginia Tech continued to create opportunities throughout the middle innings, but Clemson’s bullpen repeatedly escaped trouble and prevented the Hokies from breaking through.

Tigers Add Late Insurance

Clemson created separation late in the game with timely hitting in the final three innings. Jacob Jarrell drove in a run with a single in the seventh inning before Jack Crighton added an RBI single to push the lead to 9-5.

In the eighth inning, Jarren Purify connected on a solo home run to left field. Crighton followed with another solo homer in the ninth inning, extending Clemson’s lead to 10-5.

Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short

Virginia Tech mounted one final comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth inning. Nick Locurto singled to begin the frame before pinch hitter Willie Hurt drew a walk.

Petrich later reached on a fielding error that brought home a run, and Cooke followed with a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to 10-8. However, Clemson reliever Peyton Miller recorded the final out to secure the win.

Key Performers

Gaffney led Clemson offensively with a three-run homer and three RBIs, while Crighton finished with three hits, a home run, and two RBIs. Purify also homered and scored twice as the Tigers totaled 14 hits in the victory.

For Virginia Tech, Gibson reached base five times and homered, Cooke drove in three runs, and Lutterman added a three-run home run in the loss.

Up Next

Clemson improved to 31-25 overall with the victory, while Virginia Tech dropped to 29-23. The Hokies now turn their attention to the ACC Baseball Tournament, where they will begin postseason play Wednesday in Charlotte after earning a first-round bye. Virginia Tech will play the winner of the Notre Dame vs Clemson game.

Thomas Disharoon

Baseball & Women's Basketball Beat Reporter

I was born in Richmond, Virginia. My first football game was the spring game in 2023. I have been a longtime Virginia Tech fan. I am currently a student at Virginia Tech, majoring in Communications.