GERARD THROWS A GEM AS HOKIES BOUNCE BACK TO EVEN SERIES

Wyatt Krueger

March 14, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 18 Virginia Tech bounced back in convincing fashion, earning its first shutout victory of the season with a 5-0 win over Florida State, setting up the rubber match on Sunday.

Chris Gerard threw a gem on the mound, allowing only two hits and striking out eight in seven innings of work — a much needed performance for Virginia Tech. The sophomore ace also earned his 100th career strikeout as a Hokie.

Offensively, Virginia Tech only had four hits on the scoreboard, but once again found ways to manufacture runs. Saturday, the freshman tandem of Jack Hurley and Tanner Schobel led the offense, but it was a complete team effort.

Hurley, whose birthday was yesterday, added a solo home run in the fifth inning, his third of the season. Hurley’s homer jump-started a three-run frame for the Hokies, who added runs via a throwing error and a sacrifice fly from Carson Jones.

Schobel drove in two runs to add to his team-high 19 RBIs, putting balls in play in the first and fifth innings to bring runners home from third.

Matthew Siverling held down the bullpen, pitching two innings while allowing only one hit.

With Gerard and Alford’s back-to-back performances, the Hokies have shown some encouraging signs from their starting pitching after last weekend's subpar display against North Carolina.

Now, the ball goes to the reliever Ryan Metz who will start his first game of the year, as the Hokies have a chance to win their third ACC series and move to 10-4 on the season.

The rubber match is set to start at 1:00 p.m on Sunday.