Hokies use wind to blow past Panthers

Virginia Tech (14–8, 2–6 ACC) played the second game of their series against Pitt (10–10, 2–4 ACC) on Saturday, winning 20–12. The Hokies snapped a six-game conference winless streak.

Griffin Green (1–1, 6.33 earned run average) started on the mound for the Hokies, while Kyle Mosley (0–3, 6.65 ERA) started for the Panthers.

The Hokies took the first lead of the day in the second inning on a RBI single. Garrett Michel put the ball on the right side of the infield, bringing Carson DeMartini in to score. 

Pitt’s first hit of the day was a home run in the bottom of the third inning, when Justin Acal registered his third home run of the season. After Acal’s homer, the game was knotted at one run apiece.

The weather was a prominent factor in this matchup. There were several instances in which players’ hats went flying around the field.

Michel hit a two run double off the wall in the bottom of the third inning to give the Hokies a 3–1 lead. Michel accounted for the first three RBIs for the Hokies.

In the fourth inning, the wind became a problem for the Hokies defensively. Green had a good day on the mound, but a few routine fly balls couldn't be corralled due to the high wind speeds. Green was in a bind after a couple hit-by-pitches and a defensive error, but the Hokies escaped the inning with a 3–2 lead. 

In his best start of the season, Green allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks. On a day where wind made it difficult for pitchers, Griffin had an impressive performance.

After the pitching change, the game blew open offensively after Chris Cannizzaro hammered his sixth home run of the year over the center field wall. At the top of the sixth inning, Clay Grady smacked a three-run homer, stretching the Hokies’ lead.

Several Hokies, including Carson Jones, followed with home runs of their own. Jones nailed a two-run homer in the seventh inning, culminating in seven runs during the frame. After the seventh, Tech led 15–2.

The Hokies were not the only team to put up a crooked number in the seventh inning. Pitt responded with six of their own in the bottom of the frame, although Tech responded with four more runs in the eighth. 

This was the type of offensive production that had the Hokies ranked No. 11 entering conference play. The Hokies’ 20–12 victory ended a six-game ACC losing skid. They scored 14 runs between the fourth and seventh innings. The Hokies will look to win their first series of conference play on Sunday, March 26, playing Pitt again at 1 p.m.