Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech pitcher Colin O’Keefe gives up just two hits and one run in five innings in the Hokies’ 14-2 victory over the Wagner Seahawks, improving Tech’s record to 14-4.

Last night, Virginia Tech baseball coach Pete Hughes talked about the need to treat every game with the same importance.

The Hokies responded with vengeance, as they defeated the Wagner Seahawks 14-2.

The win — the Hokies’ 14th of the season — gives Tech momentum heading into a critical weekend series against Georgia Tech.

“Hopefully we can win a series, at least two games,” said freshman catcher Mark Zagunis. “Get a couple timely hits, and our pitchers have been throwing well all year, so hopefully they can continue that. Just get a couple big hits and win a couple games.”

Tech wasted no time getting on the board, as the team used a Zagunis leadoff single and a Tyler Horan double to go up 1-0. The Hokies ultimately scored three first-inning runs on five hits.

Against Radford Tuesday, the Hokies sputtered out of the gates, eventually pulling away late in the game. Hughes was happy to see his team jump out early.

“I thought we came out good the way I wanted, right from the get-go,” Hughes said. “Sometimes if you give a team a chance to breathe and get a little bit of confidence, it changes the whole complexion of the game. I thought we started really good and responded to my challenge pregame.”

Starting pitcher Colin O’Keefe was not exceptionally sharp throughout his five innings of work, as he walked three batters and balked twice. O’Keefe’s lone run allowed came courtesy of a Chris Smith home run.

“I was happy to see Colin come out and have a really good start,” Hughes said. “That’s a quality arm that hasn’t had success in his last two outings, and he’s really good. We want to keep building his confidence.”

Tanner McIntrye, Devin Burke and Jake Joyce each saw time in relief of O’Keefe.

“(McIntyre) was pitching in a tie game, that’s what I saw,” Hughes said. “His body language, his focus … he’s trying to get innings and increase his role in our program. He was locked in and not one pitch was above the knee.”

In the second through sixth innings, the Hokies scored 11 runs, including two four-run innings. In total, Tech finished with 20 hits on the night.

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A version of this article appeared in the Mar 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.