The famous pitcher Satchel Paige once said, "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."
On Wednesday night at English Field, the Virginia Tech baseball team took an early lead and did not look back. And its opponent - the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-19) - could not catch up. The Hokies (13-20) won their fifth straight non-conference game by beating VCU, 9-1.
Four Tech pitchers combined to give up just eight hits, striking out seven and not allowing a walk.
"We didn't give the offense any free base runners," Tech head coach Pete Hughes said. "Walks score runs. It was a good lesson for our guys tonight. If you throw strikes, you'll have success."
Tech began the game with freshman Justin Wright on the mound, making his first start of the season. Wright - who is normally used as a reliever - came into Wednesday's contest with 16 appearances and a 3.00 earned run average.
He got some early support in the bottom of the first from his offense and the Rams defense.
After VCU starting pitcher Michael Graham got the first two outs of the inning, catcher Anthony Sosnoskie drew a walk. Then, right fielder Klint Reed doubled to score Sosnoskie. Reed advanced one base after a fielding error by VCU catcher Eric Curtis.
Another hit - this time an RBI single by second baseman Austin Wates - and another error by the Rams put the Hokies in scoring position again. Designated hitter Jose Cueto took advantage, singling to right center to score Wates and put Tech up 3-0.
Graham only lasted one inning, giving way to Darryl Stringfield in the bottom of the second.
The right hander surrendered a single run in that inning, as Sean Ryan hit one between the shortstop and third baseman and into left field. Left fielder Steve Bumbry raced home from second to push the Tech lead to four.
Neither starting pitcher lasted long. After Wright retired the first seven batters, he gave up a double, and then gave way to fellow freshman Jesse Hahn.
Hughes did have a strategy behind using four pitchers.
"We need to get those guys work because they're young," Hughes said. "They need to get on the mound in game situations. We need to be careful with their pitch counts so we don't hurt those guys and so they can be effective for us this weekend. Everyone was on a tight leash with the pitch counts."
VCU head coach Paul Keyes saw his Rams get their lone run in the top half of the fifth.
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