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BLACKSBURG -- All the details for the 2016 Virginia Tech Baseball Night in Blacksburg event are now set. The ninth annual event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 starting at 6 p.m. in Lane Stadium with Wyatt Toregas - former Tech catcher, major and minor league player, Reston, Virginia, native and current West Virginia Black Bears manager - booked as the featured speaker.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to have Wyatt speak at our baseball night event,” Tech baseball coach Patrick Mason said. “Wyatt has lived a baseball life and can share those experiences with our guests that evening. He played for Coach (Chuck) Hartman. He played in the minor leagues. He spent some time in the majors and, most recently, he’s been on the managerial side. He certainly has a lot of stories to share.”

Toregas played for Tech from 2002-04 before being drafted in the 24th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. He spent six seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut with the Indians on August 1, 2009. He stayed on the roster through the end of the year and played 19 games in all for the Tribe.

In 2011, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and returned to the majors for three games that season, before moving into a coaching role with the organization. Last season, he was named the first manager of the West Virginia Black Bears, the Pirates’ Short-Season A affiliate, and led the squad to the New York-Penn League title and will return to the team in the same role for the 2016 season.

“I’m truly honored to be invited back to be the featured speaker at this year’s baseball event especially when considering the previous speakers, and I’m thrilled to be able to oblige,” Toregas said. “I’m excited to come back to campus and help out the program in anyway I can. It should be a great night!”

Ticketing information includes a cost of $75 per person ($20 for students or kids 13 and under) and can be purchased by calling the Virginia Tech baseball office at (540) 231-9976 or going online (link above). For those interested in a more intimate experience, a private, VIP cocktail hour with Toregas is available. Access to this reception can be gained by purchasing a ticket for $200. A Home Run Package of eight tickets can be purchased for $1,500.

All proceeds of the auction and banquet will go to Virginia Tech baseball and the Hokies’ efforts to improve various aspects of their program. Recent efforts included the building of an indoor baseball facility beyond the left-field foul pole at English Field, which is available for the team’s use year-round, and enhancements to English Field, which included the addition of artificial turf and expanded dugouts just prior to the start of the 2012 season.

Baseball Night in Blacksburg has featured a number of high-profile guests for its annual banquet, which began in 2008 with Baltimore Oriole legend Cal Ripken, Jr. The others include Jim Palmer, Mike Williams, Billy Wagner, Bobby Valentine, former Tech players Franklin Stubbs and Brad Clontz - the team’s only World Series alums - Tech’s Hall of Fame coach Chuck Hartman and Charlie Manuel.

Ninth Annual Baseball Night in Blacksburg Featured Speaker:
former former Tech player and current West Virginia Black Bears manager Wyatt Toregas.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016; Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Lane Stadium, West Side Stadium Club

Tickets: Adult: $75; Student/Youth: (13 and under): $20
Private reception: $200 per ticket; Group of eight tickets for $1,500

Online ticket form: Click Here
For registration form: Click Here
For more info: contact Austin Hartsook, P: (540) 231-9976; E: hartsook@vt.edu

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