Tech closes home slate tonight with game versus William & Mary
The Hokies hold an 81-34 all-time mark including a 45-16 record at home against the Tribe
May 15, 2018
Gameday Information
Virginia Tech (20-30) vs. William & Mary (15-25) - Tuesday 6 p.m.
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Tech closes out home schedule versus William & Mary: Tonight will mark the final game of the 2018 home slate for Virginia Tech, who played its first season in the newly reconstructed English Field at Union Park. Sunday, Tech honored eight players and two managers during Senior Day celebrations and announced the Johnny Oates Memorial Award winner (see below). Check out the photo gallery to the right to see all the images from the pregame event.
Speaking of extra-inning games: A couple notes regarding extra-inning games this season for Tech.
Number one - the Hokies are 3-5 in extra-inning games, as they’ve played a program record eight in 2018. The previous high was seven competed by the 2013 squad, while both the 2014 and 2017 seasons Tech played six free baseball games.
Number two - Tech’s longest game, in terms of innings is 14 - done three times, while the Hokies have played five 13-inning games. The 12-inning game on Friday night tied for the second longest ACC game played in Blacksburg behind a March 25, 2006, 13-inning game versus Boston College (a 6-4 loss).
Number three - two extra-inning games in an ACC weekend series has now happened three times in Tech’s history and ironically, they’ve all been played in Blacksburg. In 2006, Tech lost twice to the Eagles in extras (March 25 & 26 - 9-7 in 10), and in 2015, the Hokies split two extra-inning games against Clemson (March 20 - lost 4-0 in 10 & March 22 - won 4-3 in 12).
Number four - the 31 total innings played by Tech and Miami are the second-most ever competed in a three-game ACC weekend, tied with the Clemson series in 2015. The most innings ever played in a three-game ACC series is 32, set by that Boston College series in 2006 and matched by a 2013 series at NC State (April 5-7) that included a 14-inning Friday night start and two nine-inning games.
Hokies versus the Tribe: In their 125 seasons of baseball, the Hokies have faced the Tribe 115 times and hold an 81-34 all-time mark including a 45-16 record at home.
However, on March 21 of last year, Tech ended an overall five-game losing streak to William & Mary and a four-game slide in Blacksburg with a 3-2 victory. It was Rahiem Cooper’s three-run home run in the seventh inning that gave the Hokies the win.
It was a night-and-day difference to the game in Williamsburg two weeks earlier won by the Tribe, 19-10. JD Mundy led the Tech attack that night with three hits, including two doubles and a three-run home run, while Sam Fragale had two hits and two RBI.
Nick Owens honored with Oates Award: Each year, the Johnny Oates Memorial Award is presented to the Virginia Tech baseball player who best exemplifies the traits Oates, a 1968 graduate of Tech and member of the baseball team, was known for: being a loyal friend and teammate, whose enduring and eternal faith, devotion to family, character, integrity, competitive nature, courage and perseverance continue to be an inspiration to all.
This year junior Nick Owens received the award prior to the Sunday game versus Miami - as part of the Senior Day celebration. Previous winners include Matt Dauby and Sam Fragale (2017), Dauby (2016), Alex Perez (2015), Tanner McIntyre (2014), Andrew Rash and Chad Pinder (2013), Ronnie Shaban and Rash (2012), Matt Blow (2011), Brandon Lower (2010), Dave Zappacosta (2009), Matt Hacker and Sean O'Brien (2008) and Warren Schaeffer (2006 & 2007).
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