Hokies Fall in Home Run-Filled Shootout Against UNCG

Virginia Tech Hokies dropped game one of its two-game series against UNC Greensboro Spartans baseball Friday afternoon in an offensive explosion at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. The Spartans defeated the Hokies 18-13 in a game that featured 31 total runs, 30 hits, and 10 combined home runs.

Virginia Tech fell to 26-22 overall following the loss, while UNCG improved to 21-28 on the season.

Early Offense Sets the Tone

The Hokies wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first inning. After Ethan Gibson and Henry Cooke reached base via walks, Ethan Ball delivered a two-run double to left field to give Virginia Tech a 2-1 advantage.

UNCG responded quickly in the second inning when Luke Jenkins launched a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 2-2. Virginia Tech answered in the bottom half of the inning as Sam Grube ripped an RBI double down the right field line to regain the lead.

The offensive fireworks continued in the third inning. Jacob Dilley crushed a two-run homer for the Spartans before Ethan Ball answered with a solo home run to right-center field, his 13th home run of the season. Later in the inning, Nick Locurto blasted a two-run shot to left-center field to give the Hokies a 6-4 lead.

Spartans Take Control in Middle Innings

UNCG surged ahead in the fourth inning with a five-run outburst. Jacob Mueller tied the game with a two-run single before Jacob Budzik launched a three-run home run to left-center field, putting the Spartans ahead 9-6.

Virginia Tech continued to battle offensively throughout the game. Ethan Gibson hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fifth homer of the season, and Treyson Hughes added an RBI single in the fifth inning to help tie the game at 9-9.

The Spartans regained the lead in the sixth inning when Jacob Mueller crushed a solo home run to left field. UNCG then broke the game open in the seventh inning after Luke Jenkins connected on his second homer of the day, a three-run blast that extended the lead to 13-9.

Hokies Continue Fighting Late

Virginia Tech stayed aggressive offensively despite the growing deficit. Ethan Gibson drove in a run with an RBI single in the seventh inning to trim the lead to 13-10.

UNCG answered again in the eighth inning when Luke Holland launched a three-run homer to left field, pushing the Spartans’ advantage to 16-10.

The Hokies refused to go quietly in the ninth inning. Nick Locurto and Sam Grube both singled to bring Henry Cooke to the plate with two runners on base. Cooke crushed a three-run home run to left field, his seventh home run of the season, extending his home run streak to four consecutive games.

Standout Performances

Henry Cooke led Virginia Tech offensively with four RBIs and a three-run homer in the ninth inning. Ethan Ball finished 3-for-6 with a home run, two doubles, and three RBIs, while Nick Locurto added a two-run homer and scored four runs.

Ethan Gibson also contributed two hits, including a solo home run and an RBI single.

UNCG was powered by Luke Jenkins and Jacob Budzik, who each drove in four runs. The Spartans totaled six home runs and consistently capitalized on scoring opportunities throughout the afternoon.

Pitching Summary

Virginia Tech used seven pitchers in the loss. Brendan Yagesh was charged with the defeat after allowing three runs in 2.2 innings of work.

For UNCG, Mayson Dear earned the victory in relief, while John Horton recorded his fifth save of the season.

Up Next

Virginia Tech will look to bounce back in the final game of the two-game series against UNCG as the Hokies aim to regain momentum heading into the closing stretch of the season.

Hokies Outslug Spartans in Offensive Showcase

The UNCG Spartans grabbed an early lead against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday afternoon at English Field. In the top of the first inning, Jacob Dilley grounded into a double play that allowed Brantley Truitt to score from third base and give the Spartans a 1-0 advantage. UNCG threatened again in the second inning after Luke Holland doubled down the right field line, but Virginia Tech starter Griffin Stieg escaped the inning with consecutive strikeouts to keep the deficit at one run.

Hokies Break Through in the Second

Virginia Tech’s offense exploded in the bottom of the second inning with four runs to take control of the game. Pete Daniel recorded the Hokies’ first hit of the afternoon with a single to right field before Willie Hurt delivered a two-run RBI triple into right center field to give Virginia Tech a 2-1 lead. Owen Petrich followed with an RBI single through the left side to extend the advantage to 3-1. Later in the inning, Ethan Ball was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in another run and pushing the lead to 4-1.

Third Inning Turns Into a Slugfest

UNCG answered quickly in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 4-4. Jacob Dilley doubled to left field to bring home a run, and Luke Holland followed with a two-run ground-rule double to even the score. The Hokies immediately responded with one of their biggest offensive innings of the season.

Sam Gates opened the scoring in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to right center field to give Virginia Tech a 5-4 lead. Moments later, Willie Hurt delivered the most exciting play of the game with an inside-the-park two-run home run to center field, extending the lead to 7-4. Sam Grube continued the power surge with a solo shot to center field for his seventh home run of the season, and Henry Cooke capped the inning with an RBI single to center field as Virginia Tech built a 9-4 advantage.

Spartans Battle Back

Despite trailing by five runs, UNCG refused to back down. Brantley Truitt homered to right center field in the fourth inning to trim the lead to 9-6. In the sixth inning, Truitt struck again with a two-run homer down the left field line, cutting the Hokies’ lead to just one run at 9-8. Truitt finished the game with two home runs, three RBIs, and four runs scored. Jacob Dilley also had a strong performance for the Spartans, collecting three hits and adding a solo home run in the ninth inning.

Sam Grube Delivers the Big Blow

Virginia Tech answered UNCG’s comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pete Daniel singled to start the inning before Sam Grube blasted his second home run of the afternoon, a two-run shot to center field that extended the Hokies’ lead to 11-8. Grube finished 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored in one of his best performances of the season.

Pitching and Defense Hold Late

Reliever Ethan Grim earned the win for the Hokies after stabilizing the game in the middle innings. Grim pitched 3.2 innings while allowing four runs, only two of which were earned, and struck out five batters. Chase Swift closed the game with the final four outs to record his second save of the season, escaping a tense ninth inning after UNCG loaded the bases.

Virginia Tech also received a key defensive play from Ethan Gibson late in the game, as the first baseman made a sharp line-drive play to quickly record an important out and preserve momentum.

Final Takeaway

The game featured nonstop offense, including 20 combined runs, 26 hits, seven home runs, and an inside-the-park homer. Virginia Tech’s explosive second and third innings ultimately proved to be the difference as the Hokies held off a determined UNCG comeback to secure an entertaining 11-9 victory in Blacksburg.