Hokies Get Back on Track, Defeat Pitt to Win Series

Wyatt Krueger

March 27, 2021

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Virginia Tech (12-8, 8-6 ACC) earned its first series win since early March on Saturday, taking down No. 15 Pitt (12-7, 8-6 ACC) 8-4 thanks to an all-around team effort.

Starting pitcher Anthony Simonelli earned his first start since early March after head coach John Szefc mentioned he was dealing with back tightness after his appearance against North Carolina.

Simonelli looked healthy from the beginning, retiring seven of the first nine batters faced. The righty finished with five innings pitched, and allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.

It was a much needed start for the Hokies, who have had to pitch by committee with Chris Gerard and Peyton Alford as the only penciled in weekend starters.

Freshman Jack Hurley scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning, scoring on a wild pitch after leading off with a double and advancing to third on a Gavin Cross groundout.

Pitt tied it up in the fourth inning thanks to a David Yanni sacrifice fly, but the Hokies responded with a big sixth inning.

After not recording a hit since the second inning, Tanner Schobel led off the frame with a double to right-center field. Gavin Cross added a single before Rumfield brought Schobel home with a single of his own to right field.

With the bases loaded, Kevin Madden came through with a single to left to make the score 4-1.

Rumfield and Madden added two much-needed insurance runs in the top of the ninth to increase Virginia Tech’s lead. The two finished a combined three-for-eight at the plate with five RBIs.

Relief pitcher Jaison Heard held down the bullpen after Simonelli left the game, throwing three innings and striking out five before Pitt’s Ron Washington Jr. hit a three-run shot in the bottom of the ninth.

Washington’s home run made the game interesting, but Shane Connolly came in to close out the game, and he did.

Connolly allowed one hit, but struck out three batters while stranding two runners on base to complete the win.

The Hokies needed a series win against a formidable ACC opponent and they got one.

Now, we’ll see if they can complete the sweep with Chris Gerard on the mound Sunday against the Panthers at 1 p.m.