The Virginia Tech baseball team lost to Stanford, 9-7, after a late-game rally by the Cardinal on March 27 at English Field. Ethan Gibson’s two-run home run in the fifth inning had given Virginia Tech a one-run lead, but Stanford scored five runs with two outs in the eighth inning to secure the win.
The game was closely contested, with both teams holding identical records of 12-12 overall and 4-6 in conference play. The outcome mattered for both squads as they sought to improve their standings midway through the season.
Gibson’s homer shifted momentum in favor of Virginia Tech, turning a 4-3 deficit into a lead that lasted until late in the game. However, pinch hitter Cort MacDonald started Stanford’s decisive eighth-inning surge with a hustle double off Logan Eisenreich. Following an infield single by Ethan Holt and an RBI double from Rintaro Sasaki that tied the score at five apiece, Teddy Tokheim hit his second home run of the day—a three-run shot—giving Stanford an 8-5 advantage. Three walks later (one intentional), another run scored for Stanford before Virginia Tech could end the inning.
Shortstop Pete Daniel had four hits for Virginia Tech, tying his career high and providing key offense early with a two-RBI single that evened things up after Tokheim’s first-inning homer put Stanford ahead. Nick Locurto also contributed offensively with an RBI double during the third inning that helped stabilize starting pitcher Brendan Yagesh’s outing.
Yagesh allowed three runs over four and one-third innings while striking out six batters before Preston Crowl entered from the bullpen and surrendered a solo home run to Charlie Bates. In total, six of Stanford’s nine runs came with two outs as their top three hitters combined for seven hits—including four homers—and drove in eight runs.
Hudson Lutterman extended his on-base streak to twelve games for Virginia Tech while Henry Cooke recorded his first multi-hit performance since earlier this month. Freshman Willie Hurt walked twice and scored both times he reached base.
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech will try to even its series against Stanford on Saturday afternoon at English Field.
