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Virginia Tech Hokies Win Four Straight Over William & Mary and East Tennessee State University

Thomas Disharoon·February 18, 2026

Virginia Tech Hokies 9, William & Mary Tribe 2

Opening Day – February 13, 2026 | English Field, Blacksburg, Va.

Game 1

The 2026 season opened in style Friday afternoon at English Field, as Virginia Tech rode dominant pitching and timely extra-base hits to a 9–2 victory over William & Mary in front of the hokie fans on a brisk 44-degree day.

After falling behind early, the Hokies scored in six different innings and struck out 16 Tribe hitters to secure the home-opening win.

Tribe Strike First

William & Mary grabbed momentum in the second inning when designated hitter Liam O’Neil launched a two-run homer 345 feet to left field, giving the Tribe a 2–0 lead. It was one of just six hits on the afternoon for William & Mary — and their biggest swing of the game.

Virginia Tech starter Brett Renfrow struck out four over two innings but was tagged for the early homer before giving way to Preston Crowl in the third.

Crowl, Swift Slam the Door

Crowl (1–0) changed the tone immediately. The right-hander delivered five shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing just three hits. He set a career high in pitches, innings and strikeouts, retiring 15 of the 18 batters he faced and stranding all runners.

Chase Swift closed things out emphatically, striking out five over the final two innings — including striking out the side in the eighth — to complete the 16-strikeout effort by the Hokies’ staff.

Photo from this post on X — February 13, 2026 · View on X

Hokies Answer Back

Virginia Tech chipped away in the second when Treyson Hughes lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Anderson French to cut the deficit to 2–1.

The Hokies seized control in the fourth. Pete Daniel drew a leadoff walk, Sam Grube ripped a double down the left-field line, and Hughes tied the game with an RBI groundout. Moments later, Owen Petrich delivered a run-scoring double to center, putting Tech ahead 3–2.

French Goes Deep, Grube Goes Off

Anderson French provided breathing room in the fifth, crushing a 412-foot solo home run to right — his first of the season — extending the lead to 5–2.

But the day belonged to first baseman Sam Grube, who finished 3-for-3 with three doubles and three RBIs, tying a single-game program record for doubles. His two-run double in the seventh broke the game open at 6–2.

Grube’s performance put him one shy of the Virginia Tech single-game record of four doubles, set by Carson Taylor in 2019.

Insurance and Milestones

The Hokies added runs in the sixth on a Sam Gates sacrifice fly and in the eighth on an RBI single from Ethan Ball.

Ball recorded his first career hit in the seventh, and Pete Daniel added his first hit at Virginia Tech during the same frame. Gates swiped two bases as Tech showed aggressiveness on the basepaths.

Despite leaving 11 runners on base and going 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position, the Hokies capitalized on extra-base hits and free passes, drawing nine walks and getting hit by three pitches.

By the Numbers

Virginia Tech: 9 runs, 9 hits, 1 error
William & Mary: 2 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors
Hokies pitching: 16 strikeouts, 0 walks
Extra-base hits: Petrich (1 double), Grube (3 doubles), French (HR)

Up Next

Virginia Tech improves to 1–0 on the young season, while William & Mary drops to 0–1. The Hokies will look to carry the momentum into Game 2 of the series this weekend at English Field.

Opening Day belonged to the Hokies — powered by strikeouts, doubles, and a statement performance from Preston Crowl on the mound.

Virginia Tech Hokies 8, William & Mary Tribe 7

February 14, 2026 | English Field | Blacksburg, Va.

Game 2

Sam Grube delivered the biggest swing of the night, lining a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to lift Virginia Tech to a thrilling 8-7 victory over William & Mary at English Field.

With the win, the Hokies clinched the series and positioned themselves for a potential sweep in Game 3.

Pitchers’ Duel Early

The first four innings unfolded as a tight defensive battle.

Virginia Tech starter Griffin Stieg was sharp in his 4.2 innings of work, striking out four and holding the Tribe scoreless through four frames. William & Mary managed scattered baserunners but couldn’t break through early.

The Hokies threatened in the second and fourth innings, drawing multiple walks, but were unable to capitalize as both teams remained locked in a 0-0 stalemate.

A highlight in the fourth came when Treyson Hughes tracked down a deep fly ball in center field, preserving the scoreless tie with a standout defensive play.

Tribe Strike First

The breakthrough came in the top of the fifth.

After a walk and a bunt single extended the inning, Jamie Laskofski launched a three-run homer to center field, putting William & Mary ahead 3-0 and snapping a 47-batter stretch in which Virginia Tech pitching had not issued a walk.

The Hokies quickly responded in the bottom half.

Ethan Gibson singled to ignite the rally, and Virginia Tech loaded the bases with patience at the plate. A wild pitch brought home the first run before Owen Petrich’s sacrifice fly trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Ethan Ball followed with an RBI single to right, tying the game at 3-3.

Back-and-Forth Battle

William & Mary regained the lead in the seventh when Laskofski doubled into the gap and Trey Christman drove him in with a double to make it 4-3.

But Virginia Tech answered emphatically in the bottom of the inning.

Henry Cooke singled, and Petrich and Ball worked walks to load the bases. Hudson Lutterman then delivered the decisive blow of the inning — a bases-clearing double to left field that plated three and gave the Hokies a 6-4 advantage. The momentum inside English Field shifted sharply in Tech’s favor.

Ninth-Inning Drama

The drama was far from over.

In the top of the ninth, Laskofski doubled again, and Christman crushed a two-run homer to left, knotting the score at 6-6. After a pitching change, the Tribe scratched across another run on an RBI single by Connor Chavez, aided by an error, to take a 7-6 lead.

Facing their final three outs, the Hokies refused to fold.

Anderson French drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth. After a flyout, Ethan Gibson ripped a double to center, putting runners at second and third. William & Mary elected to intentionally walk Hughes to load the bases and set up a double play.

That decision brought Grube to the plate.

On a 1-2 pitch, Grube placed a single into left field. French scored easily, Gibson followed right behind him, and the Hokies stormed the field as the comeback was complete.

Key Performers

Sam Grube: Walk-off two-run single
Hudson Lutterman: Three-RBI double in the seventh
Ethan Ball: RBI single, key at-bats in middle innings
Griffin Stieg: 4.2 IP, 4 K in strong start

Virginia Tech showcased resilience all night, answering every Tribe surge and delivering in the clutch when it mattered most. In a game that featured multiple lead changes and late-inning tension, the Hokies’ poise at the plate proved decisive.

With the series secured, Virginia Tech now turns its attention to finishing the job and completing the sweep

Virginia Tech Hokies 8, William & Mary Tribe 2

February 14, 2026 | English Field | Blacksburg, Va.

Game 3

The Hokies used early power and a dominant pitching performance to secure an 8–2 victory over William & Mary in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader at English Field. Virginia Tech improved to 3-0 on the young season, while the Tribe fell to 0-3.

Petrich Powers the First-Inning Surge

After William & Mary struck first in the top of the opening frame, Virginia Tech answered emphatically in the bottom half.

Jamie Laskofski walked, stole second and third, and scored on Louie Bartletti’s RBI double to give the Tribe a quick 1-0 lead. But that advantage was short-lived.

Treyson Hughes opened the Hokies’ first with a walk, and Sam Grube reached on an error to put runners in scoring position. Henry Cooke evened the score with a sacrifice fly before Owen Petrich delivered the game’s biggest swing — a 357-foot, two-run homer to right field, his first of the season, pushing Tech ahead 3-1.

The Hokies added another run in the second when Cooke reached on a fielder’s choice to score Pete Daniel, stretching the lead to 4-1.

Grim Shines in First Collegiate Start

Making his first collegiate start, freshman right-hander Ethan Grim set the tone on the mound. Grim worked four innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six.

He recorded strikeouts in each inning and escaped multiple early threats, including a two-hit third inning in which he stranded runners at first and second.

Ben Weber (1-0) followed with three strong innings of relief, surrendering just one hit and keeping the Tribe off the scoreboard. Josh Berzonski allowed a run in the eighth before Peyton Smith slammed the door in the ninth, striking out the side to finish the game. Virginia Tech pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts and allowed just five hits.

Sixth-Inning Breakthrough

Clinging to a 4-1 lead entering the sixth, the Hokies broke the game open with a four-run rally — despite recording just one hit in the frame.

Henry Cooke was hit by a pitch and Owen Petrich singled, with Cooke advancing to third. A walk to Ethan Ball loaded the bases and forced a pitching change. Hudson Lutterman drew a bases-loaded walk to score one, followed by another RBI walk from Ethan Gibson. Pete Daniel added a third consecutive bases-loaded walk, and Nick Locurto capped the rally with an RBI fielder’s choice.

By the end of the inning, Virginia Tech had extended its lead to 8-1.

Daniel’s Plate Discipline Nears Record

Shortstop Pete Daniel reached base five times via four walks and an RBI, finishing 0-for-1 officially. His four walks tied him just one shy of the program single-game record of five, set by Christian Martin in 2023.

As a team, Virginia Tech drew 13 walks, capitalizing on William & Mary’s pitching struggles throughout the night.

Tribe’s Late Push Falls Short

William & Mary added its second run in the eighth when Bartletti drove in Laskofski with a single through the right side. Bartletti finished 2-for-4 with both RBIs for the Tribe.

However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the ninth as Peyton Smith struck out Kevin Francella, Liam O’Neil, and Witt Scafidi in order.

By the Numbers

Final Score: Virginia Tech 8, William & Mary 2
Hits: VT 6, WM 5
Walks: VT 13, WM 4
Strikeouts (Pitching): VT 11, WM 6
Winning Pitcher: Ben Weber (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Charlie Richwine (0-1)

Home Run: Owen Petrich (1)

Virginia Tech’s combination of patient at-bats, timely power, and strong pitching proved too much for the Tribe, as the Hokies completed the doubleheader sweep and remained unbeaten

Hokies Rally Past ETSU, Stay Unbeaten with 7–5 Win at English Field

February 17, 2026 | English Field | Blacksburg, Va.

On a chilly 59-degree afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech shook off an early punch and powered its way to a 7–5 victory over East Tennessee State University in front of fans at English Field. The Hokies improved to 4–0 on the season, showing resilience after falling behind in the opening inning.

ETSU struck first in the top of the first when Tristan Curless launched a three-run homer to center field, instantly silencing the crowd and giving the Buccaneers a 3–0 lead. But Virginia Tech never panicked.

The Hokies chipped away in the second inning. Ethan Ball singled to spark the offense, and Sam Gates roped an RBI double to left for his first hit of the season. Pete Daniel followed with an RBI single to trim the deficit to 3–2.

The turning point came in the fourth inning.

Virginia Tech erupted for five runs, fueled by aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Hudson Lutterman tied the game at 3–3 with an RBI fielder’s choice. Pete Daniel executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to give Tech its first lead at 4–3. Treyson Hughes delivered a ground-rule RBI double to extend the advantage, and an ETSU fielding error allowed two more Hokies to score, pushing the lead to 7–3.

On the mound, the Hokies’ pitching staff locked in after the first inning. Aiden Robertson settled down to throw four innings with four strikeouts. Chase Swift was dominant in relief, striking out three and earning the win. Chase Swift opened the 2026 season in dominant fashion, striking out seven of the first eight batters he faced. Luke Craytor added three strikeouts in the seventh, and Brendan Yagesh shut the door with two scoreless innings to secure the save.

Offensively, Ethan Ball led the way with three hits, while Sam Gates finished 3-for-4 and added a triple. Virginia Tech totaled 11 hits in the win.

ETSU made things interesting in the seventh, capitalizing on a Tech error to score two runs, but the Hokies’ bullpen held firm down the stretch.

Final: Virginia Tech 7, ETSU 5.

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The Hokies remain undefeated as the season rolls on. The Hokies take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at English Field in a three game series this weekend.

Rutgers was picked 10th out of 17 BIG Ten teams according to D1Baseball. They've started the season 3-1 overall, with all games coming on the road against College of Charleston.

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.