The Virginia Tech baseball team lost to No. 14 Virginia, 11-6, on March 13 after a game-tying home run by Sam Gates in the sixth inning at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park.
The result leaves Virginia Tech with an even record of 8-8 overall and 1-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Hokies were able to stay competitive through much of the game, highlighted by Gates’ performance, but late runs from Virginia proved decisive.
Gates recorded a season-high three RBIs, tying the game twice—once with a groundout in the third inning and again with his second home run of the season. Ethan Ball and Hudson Lutterman each had two hits for the Hokies, while Henry Cooke and Owen Petrich contributed to a total of seven hits for the team. Lutterman also drove in Nick Locurto for an early lead in the first inning.
Virginia responded with three runs against starter Ethan Grim before the Hokies rallied for three runs in the fourth inning. Grim left due to injury early in the bottom of that frame, and Brendan Yagesh came on in relief. Despite holding off further scoring initially, Yagesh gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Noah Murray in the fifth inning after an error allowed an unearned runner on base. The Hokies committed four errors during the game, leading to four unearned runs.
AJ Gracia extended Virginia’s lead with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, and three more Cavalier runs followed in the seventh to secure their win.
Virginia Tech will try to even its series against Virginia on Saturday, March 14 at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
