Cannizzaro's Career Day Ignites No. 14 Hokies' Offense In Win Over Bryant

By Raza Umerani

Staff Writer

February 26, 2023

Chris Cannizzaro recorded Virginia Tech's first cycle since 2021 with a 5-for-6 day for the Hokies. (Virginia Tech Athletics)

BLACKSBURG - After five back and forth innings, No. 14 Virginia Tech needed its big bats to help build a slim lead. Knowing he was a double away from a cycle, left fielder Chris Cannizzaro ripped a fastball to deep right field for a stand-up two-bagger. 

“I’ve never hit for the cycle in my life,” Cannizzaro noted after the game. “I’ve come close a couple of times, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do in my career, so it was really cool to do it today.”

The achievement was the first by a Hokie batter since Gavin Cross’ effort nearly two full years ago against East Tennessee State. 

After Cannizzaro’s standing ovation, the Hokies got three consecutive hits and plated four runs in the frame to boost the lead to six runs, which proved to be insurmountable for a Bryant (1-5) offense that had a nice day itself.

Virginia Tech (5-2) rode their seven-run second and a four-run sixth to a 15-8 victory. “We got some big hits,” Tech skipper John Szefc said. “We put up big innings and they didn't. That was the biggest difference in the game.” 

The Bucknell transfer didn’t slow down, crushing a mammoth home run to right his next time up to lead off the bottom of the seventh, increasing the lead to 14-7. It was the first five-hit day for a Hokie since Nick Biddison and Gavin Cross each got five knocks against Wright State in last season’s NCAA Regional against Wright State.

“You have those days where the ball kind of looks like a beach ball in the box,” Cannizzaro said about his mentality. “Today was one of those days for me, thankfully.”

“That’s a pretty special day,” Szefc said about Cannizzaro’s performance. “That’s a day that people should take in and enjoy watching. He got the cycle in six innings. That’s a rare thing.”

Other Virginia Tech batters in the middle of the lineup poured in massive contributions, with third baseman Carson DeMartini and first baseman Eddie Eisert each plating three runs. Eisert notched multiple extra base hits with a double and a home run. 

This was the Hokies’ fourth game with double digit runs scored on the young season, and the third time they have plated a whopping 15.

In the waning innings, Szefc turned to two promising young arms out of the bullpen to close things out in freshmen Griffin Stieg and Tommy Szczepanski. Each fanned three Bulldog batters, highlighted by Szczepanski striking out the side to end the game in his first career appearance. Virginia Tech’s pitching staff racked up a staggering 16 strikeouts on the day.

“[Stieg] is going to be a big impact guy this year,” fellow relief pitcher Brady Kirtner said. “Tommy Szczepanski being able to come out today and get his first appearance was really cool for him, and striking out the side is a good way to start.” 

The Hokies return to action on Tuesday at 1 PM against Radford.