Hokies Host Tar Heels in Top 25 Matchup

Wyatt Krueger

March 5, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — For the first time in seven years, No. 24 Virginia Tech is ranked. With a three-game series against No. 25 North Carolina starting today, manager John Szefc knows there is work to be done before his team can start resting on its laurels.

“It was a really good start for us,” Szefc said. “I give them 100% credit for that accomplishment, but it's over. If you’re going to hang on to all the back-pads people are giving you right now, you better get past it pretty quick because there's another good team coming here to play this weekend.”

The Hokies (5-1, 2-1 ACC) earned two come-from-behind wins on the road against then-No. 6 Miami last weekend, but are facing a North Carolina (6-1, 2-1 ACC) squad that allowed six total runs after taking two-out-of-three against No. 16 Virginia last weekend.

Virginia Tech’s starting rotation will consist of Peyton Alford, Chris Gerard and Anthony Simonelli for the second weekend in a row. Gerard and Simonelli have posted 3.00 and 2.70 earned run averages in two starts, respectively, while Alford earns his second start of the year.

North Carolina’s pitching staff posts an ACC leading 1.57 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, led by starting pitchers Austin Love, Max Carlson and Max Alba.

Szefc acknowledged the plethora of lefties Virginia Tech batters faced throughout intrasquad scrimmages combined with the pitchers faced this season could help against the top pitching staff in the ACC.

“Our guys have seen a lot of left handed pitching, and now they’ve seen a lot of velocity coming out of Miami,” Szefc said about the upcoming matchup. “I feel good about it.”

Second baseman Tanner Schobel will look to continue his hot start for the Hokies, as the freshman leads Virginia Tech with 10 RBIs in his first six collegiate games.

Shane Connolly has been a shutdown closer for Virginia Tech and will lead a bullpen that needs to build off its performance in big moments this season. The Citadel Transfer and former starting pitcher is yet to allow a run in 6 and ⅔ innings.

“We’ve won five games; Connolly saved three of them,” Szefc said. “I kiddingly tell guys he's half dead because there’s no emotion to him. I think that’s also what makes him so good.”

As Hokies are back home at English Field for their second ACC series, this will be the Tarheel’s first road trip of the year.

“In college baseball, the home team wins 70% of the time, so you do the math.” Szefc said.

Prediction: Both teams are looking to establish themselves in the ACC, so I expect a low-scoring series where Virginia Tech takes two-of-three from North Carolina.