Virginia Tech concluded its Hokie Hi: Weekend at Home on April 20, following four days of community gatherings, athletic competitions, and alumni reunions in Blacksburg. The weekend featured the first coaching appearance by head football coach James Franklin during the 2026 Spring Game at Lane Stadium.
The event served as a major opportunity for students, alumni, and fans to reconnect through various activities. It included baseball and softball games, a remembrance run honoring victims of past tragedy, and the highly anticipated spring football game.
In baseball action, head coach John Szefc led the Virginia Tech team to win two out of three games against conference rival Pitt. The Hokies outscored Pitt 21-16 over the series. Notably, in Friday’s opener on April 17, Virginia Tech had a nine-run fourth inning—its best offensive inning this season—helped by first baseman Ethan Gibson’s three runs batted in. Pitcher Brett Renfrow contributed by allowing only two runs across six innings with nine strikeouts. The series concluded with a walk-off home run from Hudson Lutterman in Sunday’s rubber match.
On the softball field, Virginia Tech secured an opening win against Georgia Tech with a score of 10-2 on Friday afternoon. Jayme Bailey Lynch hit her fourteenth home run of the year during a decisive sixth inning that enforced the run-rule victory. Over the weekend, more than 3,500 fans attended softball games.
Saturday morning saw over 16,500 participants join together for the Run in Remembrance—a 3.2-mile route through campus landmarks to honor those lost on April 16, 2007.
The Spring Game presented by Eagle Construction marked James Franklin’s debut as head football coach before a packed crowd at Lane Stadium. The White team defeated the Maroon squad with a final score of 30-21 after four quarters and an additional kicking competition.
