hokies continue road trip; face off against wake forest
Ryan Wilkes
April 9, 2021
Virginia Tech celebrates after beating Boston College on April 3, 4-3. The Hokies took two-of-three in the weekend series against the Eagles. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. 一 After an offensive barrage in the hills of Johnson City, Tennessee, No. 23 Virginia Tech (16-9, 11-7) returns to ACC play, taking on Wake Forest (10-12, 5-9).
The Hokies piled on the runs against East Tennessee State Tuesday evening, defeating the Buccaneers 15-5. Leading the way for Tech was Tennessee native Gavin Cross. In his return home, the Bristol, Tenn. native made his presence felt by hitting for the cycle.
Cross started his impressive day by breaking a 2-2 tie with a grand slam, opening up the floodgates in what seemed to be a tightly contested game early on. Cross then went on to complete the cycle in six at-bats and the hometown faithful erupted, knowing that the Hokie star that had grown up in their backyard just made history.
The Hokies’ pitching staff as a whole came through, as eight arms toed the rubber for Tech. Despite a tough inning from Griffin Green to start the game, in which he allowed two Buccaneers across the plate, the bullpen came together, surrendering only three runs in the next eight innings.
The Demon Deacons enter this weekend’s series coming off a loss to Liberty, a game in which they were dominated from first pitch until the final swing of the bat. Liberty jumped out to a four-run lead in the first two innings and never looked back, taking the victory 8-4.
Despite out-hitting the Flames, the early deficit was too much to overcome. The Demon Deacons held a brief lead in the first off an RBI double by Bobby Seymour, but the Flames took it right back in the bottom of the frame.
The Demon Deacons hold the edge over the Hokies in the all-time series with a 50-41 record. Tech took down Wake in 2019 in a 10-9 thriller, but Wake has taken three-of-four previous matchups. Wake has the large advantage on its home turf, holding a 30-18-1 record in David F. Couch Ballpark against Tech.
Gavin Cross and the Hokies will look to keep the bats rolling Friday evening while the Demon Deacons look to turn the tides on what has been an up and down season so far.
Game Information:
Date: Friday, April 9th | 6 p.m.
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. | David F. Couch Ballpark
How to watch: ESPN+
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