Article

Hokies Get Washed Out by Hurricanes and Could Not Put Out the Flames

Thomas Disharoon·April 8, 2026

Miami Explodes Early, Cruises Past Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s road matchup against Miami quickly turned one-sided as the Hurricanes used a massive early offensive surge to secure a dominant win at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

First Inning: Hokies Strike First

Virginia Tech opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. After Pete Daniel drew a leadoff walk, Ethan Ball tripled down the right-field line to bring him home and give the Hokies a 1–0 lead.

Miami, however, went quietly in the bottom half of the inning, setting the stage for what initially looked like a competitive matchup.

Second Inning: Miami Responds

The Hurricanes answered immediately in the second inning. Derek Williams led off with a solo home run to left field, tying the game.

Miami continued to build momentum with clutch hitting. Fabio Peralta drove in a run with a triple, and Jake Ogden added a two-run homer, helping Miami take control and flip the game in their favor.

Third Inning: Game-Deciding Explosion

The third inning proved to be the turning point.

Miami erupted offensively, capitalizing on hits, walks, errors, and wild pitches. The Hurricanes sent a large number of batters to the plate, overwhelming Virginia Tech pitching.

Brylan West capped the inning with a three-run home run, pushing Miami’s lead into double digits and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Virginia Tech starter Brendan Yagesh was pulled during the inning as the Hokies attempted to stop the damage with multiple pitching changes.

Middle Innings: Hurricanes Keep Adding On

Miami didn’t slow down after the third.

In the fourth inning, Alonzo Alvarez launched a deep home run to right field, adding to the Hurricanes’ lead. Daniel Cuvet later contributed with an RBI double, continuing the steady offensive production.

Despite additional pitching changes from Virginia Tech, Miami consistently found ways to get runners on base and bring them home.

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Virginia Tech Offensive Struggles

After scoring in the first inning, the Hokies struggled to generate offense.

Hudson Lutterman recorded a single, and Owen Petrich added a double, but Virginia Tech failed to string together hits or mount any sustained rallies against Miami pitching.

Defensive Issues Hurt Hokies

Virginia Tech’s defense also contributed to the lopsided result.

Errors and wild pitches extended innings and allowed Miami to capitalize on extra opportunities, turning manageable situations into big scoring innings.

Pitching Performance

Miami starter Rob Evans settled in after allowing the early run, shutting down the Hokies over the following innings.

On the other side, Virginia Tech’s pitching staff struggled to contain Miami’s lineup. Starter Brendan Yagesh was chased early, and multiple relievers were unable to stop the offensive surge.

What’s Next

Virginia Tech will look to regroup as the series continues, aiming to clean up defensive mistakes and find more consistency at the plate, while Miami looks to carry its offensive momentum forward.

Miami’s Big Inning Sinks Virginia Tech Despite Late Hokies Surge

The Virginia Tech Hokies dropped an 8–6 contest to the Miami Hurricanes in a game that featured early promise, a decisive middle-inning collapse, and a thrilling late comeback attempt that ultimately fell short.

Virginia Tech showed flashes of offensive production and resilience, but one explosive inning from Miami proved to be the difference.

Early Momentum for Virginia Tech

The Hokies were the first to break through offensively. After Pete Daniel reached base and advanced into scoring position, Sam Gates delivered with a clutch RBI double to left center, giving Virginia Tech a 1–0 lead.

At that point, the Hokies appeared in control. Started pitching held Miami in check early, and the defense avoided costly mistakes. Virginia Tech’s approach at the plate was patient, drawing walks and working counts to create opportunities.

Miami’s Game-Changing Explosion

The entire trajectory of the game shifted during a dominant five-run inning by Miami.

The rally began with consecutive hits that put pressure on the Hokies’ defense. A key moment came when Fabio Peralta drove in a run on a single that was compounded by a fielding error, allowing additional advancement on the bases. From there, Jake Ogden delivered a two-RBI triple to the gap, flipping the score and energizing the Hurricanes’ dugout.

Moments later, Daniel Cuvet delivered the knockout blow, a two-run home run blasted deep to left field. The long ball, his 11th of the season, capped off the inning and extended Miami’s lead to 6–1.

What had been a tight, controlled game suddenly became a steep uphill battle for Virginia Tech.

Hokies Struggle to Respond

Following Miami’s surge, Virginia Tech’s offense stalled through the middle innings. Several promising at-bats ended in strikeouts or routine outs, and the Hokies were unable to string together hits against Miami’s pitching staff.

Despite occasional base runners, Virginia Tech failed to capitalize, leaving runners stranded and missing key opportunities to chip away at the deficit. Meanwhile, Miami added insurance runs to stretch the lead to 8–2, further tightening its grip on the game.

Late-Inning Rally Sparks Hope

Just when the game seemed out of reach, the Hokies mounted an impressive rally in the late innings.

Nick Locurto, who had been one of Virginia Tech’s most consistent hitters all game, came through again with an RBI single to bring home a run and cut into the deficit. That set the stage for Ethan Ball, who delivered the biggest swing of the night.

Ball crushed a three-run home run to deep right field, a 420-foot blast that suddenly brought Virginia Tech within two runs at 8–6. The dugout came alive, and momentum briefly swung back toward the Hokies.

Miami Closes the Door

Despite the surge, Miami’s bullpen remained composed under pressure. The Hurricanes recorded key outs down the stretch, preventing Virginia Tech from completing the comeback.

A strikeout to end the Hokies’ final push sealed the 8–6 victory for Miami, preserving the damage done during their pivotal middle-inning rally.

damage done during their pivotal middle-inning rally.

Standout Performers

Virginia Tech was led offensively by:

Nick Locurto – 3 hits, 2 RBIs, consistent production throughout the game
Ethan Ball – 3-run home run, 3 RBIs
Sam Gates – early RBI double that opened scoring

For Miami, the difference-makers included:

Daniel Cuvet – 2-run home run, key contributor in big inning
Jake Ogden – 2-RBI triple, sparked momentum shift

Fabio Peralta – RBI single that ignited rally

Key Takeaways

One inning can define a game: Miami’s five-run explosion proved decisive.
Virginia Tech showed resilience with a strong late rally but lacked consistency earlier.
Timely hitting and capitalizing on defensive miscues gave Miami the edge.

Looking Ahead

While the loss stings, Virginia Tech can take positives from its late offensive surge and individual performances. If the Hokies can combine that late-game energy with more consistent execution earlier, they’ll be in a strong position moving forward.

Miami, meanwhile, builds momentum off a win fueled by clutch hitting and the ability to seize control when opportunities arise.

Virginia Tech Controls Game Early, Holds Off Miami for 6–3 Victory

The Virginia Tech Hokies put together one of its more complete performances of the season, defeating the Miami Hurricanes 6–3 on April 5, 2026.

In a matchup between two ACC programs heading in different directions record-wise, Virginia Tech (15–15, 6–9 ACC) relied on timely hitting, defensive stability, and strong pitching to overcome Miami’s offensive pressure. The Hurricanes (24–8, 6–6 ACC) finished with 11 hits but were unable to convert those opportunities into enough runs to keep pace.

Capitalizing Early: Hokies Take Advantage of Mistakes

Virginia Tech wasted little time applying pressure, and the second inning proved to be a turning point.

After Willie Hurt and Sam Gates reached base, Ethan Gibson delivered a sharp single to left field that brought home the first run. What followed was a costly defensive misplay by Miami’s Dylan Dubovik in left field. The error allowed Gates to score from first and enabled Gibson to advance all the way to third base.

While only one RBI was credited, the sequence resulted in two runs one earned, one unearned and immediately shifted momentum in Virginia Tech’s favor. Beyond the scoreboard impact, the inning forced Miami’s pitching staff into a more aggressive approach earlier than intended.

Power Surge: Back-to-Back Home Runs Ignite Offense

The Hokies doubled down in the third inning with a display of pure power.

Ethan Ball stepped in and crushed a 402-foot home run to deep left field, extending the lead to 3–0. The very next batter, Sam Grube, followed with another home run, this one traveling 362 feet marking back-to-back blasts that energized the dugout and silenced the home crowd.

Those swings were more than just runs; they established Virginia Tech’s offensive identity for the game: aggressive, confident, and capable of changing the scoreboard instantly. The 4–0 lead also gave the pitching staff valuable breathing room.

Miami’s Response: Pressure Without Breakthrough

Despite falling behind, Miami consistently put runners on base throughout the game.

The Hurricanes broke through in the third inning when Daniel Cuvet doubled to left, driving in Jake Ogden to make it 4–1. They added another run in the sixth inning on Max Galvin’s RBI single, trimming the deficit to 4–2.

However, Miami’s biggest issue was situational execution. The Hurricanes stranded eight runners and repeatedly failed to deliver hits in key moments. Several innings ended with runners in scoring position, as Virginia Tech pitchers induced weak contact or timely outs to escape jams.

Even with 11 total hits, four more than Virginia Tech, Miami never managed to produce the kind of multi-run inning needed to erase the early deficit.

Pitching Performance: Stieg Sets the Tone

Virginia Tech’s pitching staff played a defining role, beginning with starter Griffin Stieg.

Stieg worked six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out three. While not overpowering, he demonstrated control and composure, limiting damage and preventing Miami from building sustained rallies.

He consistently forced contact on the ground and avoided big innings, which was critical given Miami’s ability to get runners on base. His outing set the tone for the bullpen and ultimately earned him the win.

Bullpen Execution: Closing Under Pressure

Following Stieg’s exit, the Hokies’ bullpen delivered in key moments.

Luke Craytor handled the seventh inning efficiently, keeping Miami off the scoreboard and maintaining the two-run lead. Preston Crowl took over for the final two innings and recorded the save, allowing just one run while navigating late pressure.

Crowl’s ability to limit Miami in the ninth, despite the Hurricanes threatening, proved crucial in sealing the victory.

Insurance in the Ninth: Small Ball Pays Off

Virginia Tech added critical insurance runs in the ninth inning, showcasing a different offensive approach.

Sam Grube reached base and used aggressive baserunning to create an opportunity, eventually scoring on a groundout by Hudson Lutterman. The Hokies then capitalized again when Ethan Gibson delivered his second RBI of the game, driving in Treyson Hughes.

Rather than relying on power, Virginia Tech used situational hitting and execution to extend the lead to 6–2, runs that ultimately provided a cushion against Miami’s final push.

Final Push by Miami Falls Short

Miami made one last attempt in the bottom of the ninth.

After putting runners in scoring position, Fabio Peralta lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run, cutting the deficit to 6–3. However, that would be as close as the Hurricanes would get.

Virginia Tech’s defense remained composed, and Crowl secured the final outs to end the game, stranding the tying run well out of reach.

Standout Performers

Virginia Tech

Ethan Gibson: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs in the second and ninth innings
Sam Grube: 2 run home run, sparked offense early and late
Ethan Ball: solo home run key part of momentum-shifting third inning
Griffin Stieg: 6.0 IP, 2 ER controlled outing that neutralized Miami’s offense

Miami

Jake Ogden: 2 hits
Brylan West: 2 hits

Daniel Cuvet: RBI double

Key Takeaways

Virginia Tech maximized its opportunities, scoring six runs on just seven hits.
Defensive mistakes by Miami directly contributed to early momentum.
Back-to-back home runs created a cushion that shaped the rest of the game.
Virginia Tech’s pitching staff excelled in high-pressure situations, stranding runners and avoiding big innings.
Miami’s inability to convert 11 hits into more than three runs was the defining weakness.

Looking Ahead

This win gives Virginia Tech a valuable boost in conference play, highlighting the team’s ability to combine power, discipline, and pitching execution. If the Hokies can maintain that balance, they have the potential to build momentum moving forward.

For Miami, the loss serves as a reminder that offensive production alone isn’t enough, timely hitting and defensive consistency will be key areas to address as ACC competition continues.

Liberty Overpowers Virginia Tech 11-4 at English Field

The Liberty Flames erupted offensively to secure an 11-4 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies, overcoming an early deficit and taking control with a decisive fourth inning at English Field.

Clement Returns to the Mound

Virginia Tech’s Madden Clement made his first start since returning from a 417-day injury layoff. The left-hander recorded his first strikeout of the season, forcing the game’s opening out, but struggled with control, walking three batters and allowing one run before being replaced by Chase Swift.

Despite the rocky start, the Hokies’ offense responded immediately. Henry Cooke tied the game with an RBI single, and Willie Hurt delivered a two-run single, giving Virginia Tech a brief 3-1 lead. Nick Locurto extended his hitting streak to eight games with a leadoff single, highlighting the team’s early momentum.

Liberty’s Offensive Explosion

The Flames answered with a ferocious six-run fourth inning that shifted momentum decisively. Tanner Marsh led the charge with a ground-rule double, followed by RBI hits from Riley DeCandido and Nick Barone. Liberty added three more runs in the fifth inning, extending their lead to 10-4.

Liberty’s balanced lineup was key, with multiple players contributing:

Tanner Marsh: 3 H, 3 RBI
Nick Barone: 1 2B, 4 RBI
Riley DeCandido, Jaxon Sorenson, Jordan Jaffe: timely hits keeping VT off balance

The Flames capitalized on Virginia Tech’s pitching struggles, including wild pitches and walks, to put constant pressure on the Hokies.

Bullpen Efforts & Defensive Highlights

Virginia Tech’s bullpen attempted to stabilize after Clement’s exit, with Chase Swift and Danny Lazaro recording scoreless innings. However, the early damage and Liberty’s relentless offense proved too much.

A highlight came from Liberty senior pitcher Ayden Decker-Petty, who made a key defensive play in the seventh inning to preserve the lead.

Key Takeaways

Liberty demonstrated a deep, potent lineup capable of producing runs at any time.
Virginia Tech showed flashes of early offensive success but struggled to maintain momentum and support a struggling pitching staff.
The game exposed VT’s need for consistent pitching and control, particularly for Clement as he returns from a long injury.

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.