Hokies Midweek Victory over Radford, after series lost to Stanford

Hokies Fall Late as Stanford Takes Game One at English Field

Virginia Tech battled throughout the game, but a late-game surge from Stanford proved too much, as the Hokies dropped game one of the series, 9–7, at English Field.

Stanford’s Teddy Tokheim powered the Cardinal offense with two home runs and five RBIs, including a decisive three-run blast in the eighth inning that broke open a tight game and ultimately sealed the win.

Early Momentum and Hokies Response

Brendan Yagesh got the start for Virginia Tech, looking to build on last weekend’s strong outing against Duke. Yagesh struggled with command early, walking the first two batters of the game before Tokheim launched a two-run homer to give Stanford a 2–0 lead. After that shaky start, he settled in, striking out the side in the second inning and showing flashes of the composure that made him effective last week.

Virginia Tech wasted little time answering. In the bottom of the second, Henry Cooke singled to get things started, followed by walks from Willie Hurt and Sam Grube, loading the bases. Pete Daniel delivered a two-RBI single to tie the game at 2–2. Hudson Lutterman and Nick Locurto added back-to-back hits later in the inning, setting the tone for a balanced offensive attack from the Hokies.

Multi-Hit Effort Powers Hokies

Virginia Tech saw contributions up and down the lineup. Pete Daniel went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, leading the Hokies in hits and showing an ability to come through with runners on base. Hudson Lutterman had two hits and scored twice, continuing to be a catalyst at the top of the order. Henry Cooke added a pair of hits, including a key double in the fifth inning to keep the Hokies within striking distance.

Even with Stanford holding a slight lead at times, Virginia Tech hitters refused to go quietly. Ethan Gibson crushed his first home run of the year, a two-run home run in the fifth inning, giving the Hokies their first lead of the day at 5–4. Meanwhile, Ethan Ball had a two-RBI double in the eighth inning, highlighting the depth of Virginia Tech’s lineup and its ability to string together hits in critical moments.

Stanford Responds with Late-Game Power

The game remained tight until the eighth inning, when Stanford’s big bats made the difference. Rintaro Sasaki and Tokheim combined for an RBI double and a three-run homer, respectively, opening up an 8–5 lead. Stanford added another run in the inning, forcing the Hokies into a comeback mode.

Virginia Tech rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Pete Daniel and Henry Cooke got on base, setting up Ball’s two-run double that cut the deficit to 9–7. But despite the multi-hit efforts from Daniel, Lutterman, Cooke, and Locurto, Stanford’s bullpen held firm in the ninth, securing the win.

By the Numbers

• Virginia Tech had 11 hits, with four players recording multiple hits: Pete Daniel (4-5), Hudson Lutterman (2-5) and Henry Cooke (2-4)
• Ethan Gibson hit his first home run of the season.
• Hokies pitching issued 10 walks, which proved costly against Stanford’s power hitters.
• Stanford out-hit Virginia Tech 13–11 

Looking Ahead

Virginia Tech (12–12, 4–6) will aim to rebound in game two, hoping to combine their multi-hit offensive attack with cleaner pitching to even the series against a Stanford squad that showed its ability to swing momentum with just a few big hits.

Hokies Dominate in Statement Win Over Stanford 10–2

At English Field, the Virginia Tech Hokies delivered a complete, all-around performance to take down the Stanford Cardinal 10–2 on Saturday afternoon. Behind explosive offense, dominant pitching, and disciplined situational play, the Hokies controlled the game from the second inning onward and never looked back.

Early Offensive Explosion Sets the Tone

Virginia Tech wasted no time applying pressure in the bottom of the second inning. After Hudson Lutterman and Nick Locurto reached base to open the frame, Sam Gates executed a perfectly placed bunt single to bring home the first run and ignite the offense.

The defining moment came just one batter later.

Henry Cooke stepped to the plate and crushed a three-run home run to left field, instantly turning a tight game into a 4–0 Hokies lead. The swing not only energized the dugout but also forced Stanford onto its heels early.

Responding to Stanford’s Only Spark

Stanford’s lone offensive highlight came in the third inning when Rintaro Sasaki launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4–1. However, that would be the only sustained success against Virginia Tech’s pitching staff.

Rather than letting the momentum shift, the Hokies responded immediately and continued to build their lead inning by inning.

Power and Production Extend the Lead

Virginia Tech’s lineup showcased both power and clutch hitting throughout the middle innings.

• Fourth Inning: Ethan Gibson blasted his second home run of the year, a two-run home run to left field, extending the lead to 6–1.
• Fifth Inning: With two outs, Owen Petrich delivered a key two-RBI single to right field, pushing the advantage to 8–1.
• Sixth Inning: Patience at the plate paid off as Gates drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run.
• Eighth Inning: The Hokies added one more on aggressive baserunning, capitalizing on a Stanford defensive sequence to make it 10–2.

Virginia Tech finished with nine hits but made them count, going 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position and producing five RBIs with two outs, an indicator of their timely execution.

Brett Renfrow Dominates on the Mound

The story of the game was just as much about pitching as it was hitting.

Brett Renfrow delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, going 7.1 innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run. He struck out 12 batters, consistently overpowering Stanford hitters and limiting any chance of a comeback.

Renfrow’s command and ability to work ahead in counts kept Stanford off balance all afternoon. By the time he exited, the game was firmly in Virginia Tech’s control.

The bullpen: Danny Lazaro, Ethan Grim, and Chase Swift combined to finish the job, with Swift closing out the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit.

Offensive Leaders Step Up

Several Hokies delivered standout performances at the plate:

• Henry Cooke: 2-for-2, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 BB
• Ethan Gibson: HR, 2 RBIs
• Owen Petrich: 2 RBIs
• Sam Gates: 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, key baserunning impact
• Nick Locurto: 2 hits, 2 runs scored

Cooke’s early home run proved to be the turning point, while contributions throughout the lineup highlighted Virginia Tech’s depth.

Stanford Struggles to Find Offense

Stanford never found an answer against Virginia Tech’s pitching. The Cardinal finished with:

• Just 3 hits total
• 15 strikeouts
• 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position

Despite drawing four walks and getting a late run in the eighth inning, Stanford was unable to string together meaningful rallies.

Looking Ahead

With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 13–12 overall and 5–6 in ACC play, gaining valuable momentum as conference competition continues. If performances like this become the standard, the Hokies could quickly climb the standings and become a dangerous opponent moving forward.

Stanford Pulls Away in Extras to win Series, Hands Hokies 6–3 Loss at English Field

In a game defined by missed opportunities and late-inning execution, the Virginia Tech Hokies fell to the Stanford Cardinal 6–3 in 10 innings Sunday afternoon at English Field.

Despite strong moments defensively and on the mound, Virginia Tech could not capitalize at the plate, stranding 17 runners and ultimately paying the price in extras.

Early Action Sets the Tone

Stanford struck first in the opening inning when Charlie Bates delivered an RBI single, but the Hokies answered immediately. Sam Grube sparked the offense with a bunt single, the team’s first hit of the day and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Hudson Lutterman to tie the game 1–1.

Virginia Tech showed early discipline at the plate, and Henry Cooke gave the Hokies a brief advantage in the third inning, drawing a bases-loaded walk to even things at 2–2 after Stanford had regained the lead.

Back-and-Forth Battle

The Cardinal continued to apply pressure, highlighted by a solo home run from Luke Lavin in the fourth inning to make it 3–2. But once again, the Hokies responded.

In the fifth inning, Sam Gates came through with a clutch RBI single to right field, tying the game at 3–3 and keeping Virginia Tech within reach.

On the mound, Griffin Stieg delivered a solid start, working six innings and keeping Stanford’s lineup largely in check. He was backed by a defense that flashed at key moments including a sharp play by Henry Cooke to throw out Charlie Bates attempting to steal and a clean double play in the ninth inning that helped force extra innings.

Missed Opportunities Haunt Hokies

While the Hokies matched Stanford inning-for-inning through regulation, their inability to convert with runners on base proved decisive. Virginia Tech went just 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 17 runners on base, including a prime opportunity in the ninth.

Cooke delivered a clutch double in the bottom of the ninth to put the potential winning run in motion, but the Hokies could not bring him home, sending the game into extras.

Cardinal Break Through in the Tenth

Stanford finally broke the deadlock in the top of the 10th. With two outs, Teddy Tokheim delivered a two-run single up the middle, followed by another RBI single from Bates to extend the lead to 6–3.

The late surge proved to be the difference, as Stanford’s bullpen led by Trevor Moore shut the door in the bottom half to secure the win.

By the Numbers

Stanford totaled 14 hits compared to Virginia Tech’s nine, with Tokheim and Bates each driving in two runs. The Hokies, meanwhile, drew 10 walks but could not convert them into sustained offense.

Virginia Tech drops to 13–13 overall (5–7 ACC), while Stanford improves to 13–13 (3–6).

Final Takeaway

For the Hokies, the formula was their solid pitching, timely defensive plays, and flashes of offensive production. But until they can consistently deliver in key moments, particularly with runners on base, close games like Sunday’s will continue to slip away.

Hokies Unleash Offensive Barrage in 13-5 Win Over Radford

The Virginia Tech Hokies proved their bats were alive and well Tuesday night, rolling to a 13-5 victory over the Radford Highlanders at Carter Memorial. From the first pitch to the final out, Virginia Tech’s offense was relentless, combining home runs, clutch hitting, and smart baserunning to build an early lead and maintain control throughout the contest.

Early Lead Sets the Tone

Virginia Tech wasted no time establishing dominance. After a leadoff walk to shortstop Pete Daniel, Ethan Ball singled to right field, advancing Daniel to second. A wild pitch allowed Daniel to score, giving the Hokies an immediate 1-0 advantage. Shortly after, Henry Cooke’s sacrifice fly brought in Ball, pushing the lead to 2-0 before Radford could even respond.

The Hokies’ early aggression foreshadowed what was to come. By the end of the second inning, Virginia Tech had already extended the lead to 4-0, thanks to solo home runs from Ethan Gibson and Treyson Hughes. Both players connected for towering shots to right field, marking Gibson’s third home run of the season and Hughes’ first.

Hitting Frenzy in the Third Inning

The third inning was Virginia Tech’s statement frame. Henry Cooke doubled to right-center field, driving in two runs, followed by Nick Locurto’s two-run homer that extended the lead to 8-0. The Hokies’ lineup showcased balance and power, with contributions up and down the order. Sam Grube, Pete Daniel, and Ethan Ball each crossed the plate, giving the team a commanding advantage and putting Radford on their heels.

Radford responded with a brief rally, scoring three runs in the third inning on a series of timely hits from Junho Son, Hunter Keen, and Brady Powell. But the Hokies quickly regained momentum, aided by aggressive baserunning and capitalizing on Radford mistakes, including a passed ball that allowed Sam Gates to score.

Pitching and Defensive Performance

While the Hokies’ offense stole the spotlight, the pitching staff delivered key contributions to maintain the lead. Starter Aiden Robertson struggled early, giving up three runs in 2.2 innings, but relievers Jacob Exum and Brody Roe shut down the Highlanders’ offense, keeping Radford off balance. Danny Lazaro and Tyler Stone each delivered critical innings, with Exum earning the win in relief.

Defensively, the Hokies were sharp. Pete Daniel made several standout plays at shortstop, and catcher Anderson French managed a smooth game behind the plate, throwing out multiple baserunners. Overall, Virginia Tech limited errors and played smart baseball, allowing their offense to dictate the pace.

Individual Standouts

• Nick Locurto: Two home runs, three RBIs, including a crucial two-run shot in the third inning.
• Henry Cooke: Multiple RBIs and a key double, driving in early runs to set the tone.
• Ethan Gibson & Treyson Hughes: Home runs in the second inning energizing the lineup.
• Pete Daniel: On-base consistency and stellar defensive plays.
• Sam Gates: Scored multiple runs, contributed with key hits and aggressive baserunning.

Looking Ahead

With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 14-13 on the season, marking an important victory as the team heads into a quick turnaround and an upcoming road series against the Miami Hurricanes. The Hokies’ balanced approach, power hitting, disciplined pitching, and solid defense demonstrates the potential to compete at a high level moving forward. Fans will be encouraged by the offensive depth and resiliency shown against the Highlanders, which bodes well for the remainder of the season.