Tech to play host to Savannah State for two games this weekend

May 7, 2010

First pitch set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech baseball team will take a break from ACC action this weekend to play a two-game, non-conference series against Savannah State at English Field.

The Hokies (32-15), who are ranked 16^th in the latest Baseball America poll, will look to bounce back from a 14-10 loss to Davidson on Tuesday. Savannah State (24-21), which plays as an independent, is coming off a series win over Norfolk State last weekend.

Many of the Hokies have final exams during the day on Saturday, so first pitch is set for 7:30 p.m., and will pit Tech left-hander Justin Wright against Tigers’ right-hander Michael Allegretti. Over his last six starts, Wright has gone 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 42.2 innings pitched. He is 5-3 with a 3.33 ERA on the season. Allegretti is 6-4 with a 5.30 ERA.

Sunday’s game is scheduled for 1 p.m., and will see a pair of right-handers squaring off in Tech’s Mathew Price and SSU’s Mark Sherrod. Price was brilliant in his last start, tossing a complete game with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 win over Boston College on May 1. He owns a season ERA of 4.86 and a 6-3 record. Sherrod is 4-2 with a 7.29 ERA.

The Tigers are hitting .326 as a team this season, and have stolen 144 bases in 186 attempts. Outfielder Dexter Kelley leads the way with 43 steals, which is nearly as many as the Hokies (52 steals) have as a team. Kelley also sports a .396 batting average, and has tallied team-highs of 15 doubles, 59 runs batted in, 22 walks and 19 hit-by-pitches.

Tech students are encouraged to arrive early for Saturday’s game, as the departments of student activities and athletics will host a Student Appreciation Tailgate beginning at 6:30 p.m. The free event, which will take place on the grass terracing along the left-field line of English Field, will include free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and cookies. During the game, students will have a chance to participate in many contests to win great prizes. Admission to the game and party is free.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Baseball).