Collegiate Times

"They're going to be coming after us," Hughes said. "We bump heads a little bit in recruiting. They're an hour and fifteen minutes away, and it's a win they want to get for their program."

Something extra needs to be done for the Hokies to get win number 119. There's no better chance to bring out some throwback uniforms for this old rivalry. Any team wearing throwbacks can become inspired. The history of the 113 years of Tech baseball should speak for itself.

Hitting into double-plays and throwing errors can be avoided. It just takes time, which is running out. Six of the next nine games are against top-15 opponents, including a series on the road against No. 1 Florida State.

"We've got to do the same thing every day. There's no margin for error in our program," Hughes said. "Our guys just have to keep working and play fundamental baseball. When we've got guys on first and second with no outs, we've got to execute and bunt them over and get two-out hits. I don't know if there's a remedy for that, other than to keep playing and get comfortable."

The Cavaliers weekend sweep should be forgotten by both the team and the fans. The next five games are at English Field, which offers a perfect chance for a five-game winning streak. Most of all, the Hokies have an opportunity to get back to the basics of a game they have played their whole lives.

As for the boy with the baseball after the UVa loss, Hughes approached him and asked several Hokies to sign his ball. The players passed it around one-by-one signing their illegible autographs.

Just as the boy turned to walk away with his father, Tech second-baseman Matt Hacker walked over to the boy, grabbed the ball with the pen and signed the ball.

"Here ya go, big guy," Hacker said with a smile as he tossed the ball back to the boy.

That anonymous boy may not know who Matt is, or any other Hokie for that matter. But he'll remember that day. He may just be a kid, but I guarantee that ball goes in his room with his Tech hat, because that is all baseball is.

It's a kid's game.

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