Tweet

BLACKSBURG - Brad Markey struck out a career-high 10 batters and Chad Pinder and Sean Keselica each drove in three runs as No. 24 Virginia Tech registered a 13-4 victory over Delaware on Sunday night at English Field in non-conference play.

After allowing a leadoff runner to score in the first frame, Markey registered the next eight outs with strikeouts, while striking out the side in both the second and third frames and fanned another in the fourth looking.

Offensively, Tyler Horan tied the game in the second with a solo home run and Pinder and Horan each knocked home a run in a two-run third to give Tech a 3-1 lead.

The Hokies extended their lead to seven runs with five in the fourth frame, with Pinder, on a single, and Mark Zagunis, with a double, each collecting a pair of RBI.

That was all the run support the pitching staff would need as Markey would finish after 6.0 innings of work, allowing two runs on nine hits and a walk as he improved to 2-0. His 10 strikeouts were one more than the nine he recorded on April 6 of last year at Santa Fe.

Sean Kennedy went 0.2 innings, Jake Joyce pitched 1.1 with two strikeouts and Colin O'Keefe worked a scoreless ninth.

Tech tacked on four more runs in the seventh, with Andrew Rash, Keselica and Alex Perez each collecting RBI.

Horan led the team with three runs scored, while Perez, Keselica and Brendon Hayden each crossed the plate twice. Pinder, Horan and Keselica all enjoyed three-hit days.

Delaware (3-2) had a good night from Joe Giacchino, who had three hits and scored two times. Adam Davis suffered the loss and is now 0-2 on the season.

Tech (6-1) returns to action tomorrow as the team will face Delaware again at 3 p.m. at English Field.

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