Freshman Arms Propel Hokies to Solid Second Week

Having multiple spots in the rotation needing to be filled, the Hokies were always going to have to rely on some of their younger arms to eat up innings. But not many saw this coming. 

True freshmen Jake Marciano and Logan Eisenreich aren't just getting some action, they're weekend starters. And so far, they've been pretty good ones, too. The two starting freshmen are joined by relief pitchers Marcel Kulik and Parker Sweeney in a quartet of young arms that have lifted the Hokies to a 6-2 record to begin the season. On the week, those four went for a combined:

• 14.2 Innings Pitched  
• 8 Hits
• 7 Walks
• 21 Strikeouts (3:1 strikeouts to walks)
• 4 Earned Runs (2.45 ERA)

In a week where a few other pitchers had their stuff and the bats were up to par, that's a recipe for success against some very scrappy mid-major competition. 

It wasn't all sunshine and spring time rainbows for the Hokies, however. A weather system in the area pushed their series vs UNC-Greensboro back by a day, and Spartan starter Sam Murchison looked well rested to say the least. He went 7.0 innings of solid work, not allowing the Hokies to put together a big inning and, outside of another Sam Tackett homer in the second, keeping the ball inside the ballpark. The Hokies outhit the Spartans and also had more extra base hits, but the game was decided with free bases. The Hokies allowed 7 walks on the day compared to only 2 from the Spartans. The Hokies also had a hit-by-pitch and an error on the day. Combine those things together, and that's how you lose a game you probably shouldn't. 

Staff ace Brett Renfrow had a fine outing, but 4 walks helped create 3 runs in his 4.1 innings of work. If needed, he could've gone longer. But Tech has shown no desire to over-pitch guys early in the season. End of the day, the Hokies just weren't able to get timely hits or much action on the base-paths.

Credit to the Spartans, though, who are the odds-on favorites to win the SoCon this season and have already knocked off ACC power Wake Forest this season. By no means is this a "bad" loss, especially with what was to come later in the series. 

The pitching staff was much more in the zone on Sunday's game, resulting in a 6-2 win that saw the Hokies not surrender a run until the 8th inning. Freshman arm Jake Marciano continued to dazzle with 7 strikeouts through 5.0 innings of work. His command is well beyond his years. 

At the plate, the Hokies used a pair of extra base hits from transfers Treyson Hughes (a double) and David Lewis (a triple) to open up a 2-0 lead early and never looked back. Hughes and Lewis both went 3-4 from the plate on the day.

The Hokies found themselves down 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning with Treyson Hughes up to the plate. The center fielder struggled last season at Ole Miss compared to his first few seasons in college ball. But he seems to have found himself again in Blacksburg, which could elevate this Hokies lineup from pretty good to top tier in the ACC. 

Hughes rocketed a triple into the right center gap, launching the Hokies to a 3 run inning that they wouldn't look back from. Another key "newcomer" to the roster has been Garret Michel. Well, he's not a newcomer at all, but you can see why the Hokies missed him so much last season when he was sidelined with a broken arm. Michel hit his third timely RBI of the series to extend that second inning, this time a double to left. The Hokies just have more firepower in their lineup this season than in the past two seasons. The power-hitting super stars may not remain in Blacksburg, but so many batters can consistently come through for this lineup. Combining that with a ton of speed on the base paths has been the key to success for this team.

On the mound, Logan Eisenreich again proved why he was rising up recruiting boards in high school before an injury took away his whole senior year. Eisenreich pushed 8 strikeouts past the Spartans, not allowing them to gain any traction in the first half of the game. The Hokies also got a much needed performance from veteran arm Grant Manning, who struggled mightily in his first two starts of the season. Manning threw 3.0 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 5 in the process. It may shake out that Manning is a middle inning reliever for the Hokies who can go 3-4 innings if needed. That would be a great tool to have for this bullpen later in the season.

The Dukes of JMU have been a tough outing for the Hokies over the past few seasons. Last year in their lone meetings, the Dukes got a walk off win to help kickstart one of their best seasons in program history. This year, the Dukes return a solid pitching staff, but only half of the offensive firepower of last season that hit 88 dingers over the fence. 

The Hokies went with a bullpen day on the mound. Freshman Patrick Sweeney got the start, followed by fellow rookie Marcel Kulik. Kulik had a phenomenal outing, tossing 3 scoreless innings that included a streak of 5 consecutive strikeouts. 

Catching for the Hokies on Wednesday was Henry Cooke. Cooke, who is coming back from an injury, was in his first start of the season. With the Dukes leading 2-1 in second inning and a man on 3rd, JMU designated hitter Ryan Dooley attempted to steal second and was gunned down by Cooke to end the inning. That stopped the Dukes momentum and allowed the Hokies to gain some traction in the game.

At the plate, the Hokies struggled early in the game to get much base path action. Both the fifth and sixth innings showed promise, but the Hokies were unable to capitalize on some base runners and the game remained close at 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 7th. After a David Lewis double and Sam Tackett RBI got the inning going, who else but Henry Cooke stepped up to the plate and crushed a 3-run homer to left to put the Hokies up for good.

The Hokies head to the Keith LeClaire Classic hosted by East Carolina in Greenville, NC:

• Friday vs Indiana State (5-3)
• Saturday vs Kent State (1-5)
• Sunday vs East Carolina (3-5) 

Both Indiana State and East Carolina will prove tough tests for the Hokies. The Pirates are off to a bit of a rough start to the season, having been swept by top 15 ACC for North Carolina and losing close to instate rival, Campbell. Don't be fooled though, ECU remains one of the best mid-major programs in the country. Kent State should be handled, but who knows with college baseball. Regardless, the weekend will be a good step up in competition before the ACC schedule gets going.