April 20, 2016
Tech outscored in slugfest in Cullowhee
Ryan Tufts with three RBIs, three runs scored in 14-10 loss to Western Carolina
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Virginia Tech (12-26) 00230130110191
Western Carolina (20-16) 11055020X14191
  • Hennon Stadium - 579

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Virginia Tech baseball team pounded out 19 hits and reached double figures in runs, but it was not enough as the Western Carolina Catamounts used a 10-run outburst over the fourth and fifth frames to build a seven-run lead. The home team then held on for the 14-10 victory in nonconference action Wednesday night at Hennon Stadium.

Ryan Tufts led the Hokies with a 3 for 4 night with three RBIs and three runs scored, while Stevie Mangrum went 5 for 5 and scored three times as well. Three other Hokies had a multi-RBI night, while Matt Dauby also scored twice.

Tech used six pitchers in the contest, while the Catamounts used five. Dylan Biumi picked up the win out of the bullpen to improve to 2-0, while Andrew McDonald fell to 1-3 for the season.

How the runs were scored

  • Western Carolina (20-16) put single runs up on the board in both the first and second frames to open up a 2-0 lead. In the first, WCU loaded the bases with one out and used a Danny Bermudez sacrifice fly to plate Nobu Suzuki to make it 1-0. In the second, Caleb Robinson doubled then scored on Garrett Brown’s infield single.
  • Tech (12-26) evened the game at 2-2 in the third with runs from Phil Sciretta and Nick Anderson. They started the rally with back-to-back one-out singles and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Garrett Hudson singled both home with a single to center.
  • The Hokies added three in the fourth to take their first lead of the game at 5-2. With no outs, they loaded the bases on a Stevie Mangrum single, a Matt Dauby walk and a Ryan Tufts bunt single. Saige Jenco hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game and Sciretta gave Tech the lead with a two-out, two-RBI single.
  • The Catamounts reclaimed their advantage with a five-run bottom of the fourth with the key hits being an RBI triple by Brown, who crossed the plate as the throw to third went wide. Matt Smith added a two-RBI double and Bermudez made it 7-5 with an RBI double. Another five-run frame pushed the home team’s lead to 12-5.
  • Tech got one back in the sixth on an RBI single by Rahiem Cooper and three in the top of the seventh, two on a triple by Tufts and one off the bat of Jenco, that pulled the Hokies to within 12-9.
  • WCU, though, responded with two in the home half, thanks to a double by Robinson and Tech would only get a Tufts sacrifice fly in the ninth to finish off its scoring.

Inside the Box

  • Jenco: 3 hits, 13th multi-hit game of the season, 49th of his career; seventh time with at least three hits this season, 22nd of his career; 2 RBIs, third multi-RBI game of the season, 12th of his career.
  • Sciretta: 2 hits, 16th multi-hit game of the season, 34th of his career; 2 RBIs, sixth multi-RBI game of the season, 11th of his career.
  • Anderson: 2 hits, ninth multi-hit game of the season and his career.
  • Hudson: 2 RBIs, first collegiate multi-RBI contest; single in third extended his hitting streak to six straight games.
  • Mangrum: double, first collegiate extra base hit; 5 hits, first multi-hit game of his career, third Hokie this year with a five-hit game.
  • Dauby: 2 walks, third time this season and career with two BBs in same game; 2 runs, fifth multi-run scoring game of season, 11th of his career.
  • Tufts: double, eighth of the season, 15th of his career; triple, first of his career; 3 hits, eighth multi-hit game of the season, 19th of his career; 3 runs, fifth multi-run scoring game of season, 11th of his career; 3 RBIs, fifth multi-RBI game of the season, 10th of his career.

Up next

Tech returns to ACC action this weekend as the Hokies host Duke in a three-game series. Friday’s game will be contested at Pulaski’s Calfee Park with a 6 p.m. first pitch. The other two games will be played at English Field at Union Park, with Saturday’s game starting at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday’s at 1 p.m.

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