Hokies' Tough Test Awaits in Coral Gables

Ryan Wilkes

February 26, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech (3-0) takes its hot bats to Coral Gables to face No. 6 Miami (2-1) in a three-game series to open ACC play.

The Hokies’ toughest test of the early season awaits on Friday, as the Hurricanes have kicked off their season by taking two-of-three from the No. 7 Florida Gators.

After losing the first game to the former No. 1 team in the country on Friday evening, Miami responded the next afternoon.

Down 8-5 in the ninth, the Canes posted three runs to tie the score and eventually outlasted Florida, winning 10-9 in 13 innings. Miami rode the momentum into the second leg of the doubleheader, defeating the Gators, 8-6, and stealing the series.

Despite early struggles at the plate from ACC Preseason Player of the Year, and likely top-five pick, Adrian Del Castillo, another Cane has picked up the slack.

Freshman shortstop Dominic Pitelli has made significant contributions early on in his time in Coral Gables. In three games, Pitelli is three-for-eight at the dish, providing an instant offensive punch.

A crevice in the Hurricanes armor comes defensively. In just three games, Miami surrendered 22 runs and committed eight errors. In order for the Hokies to pull off the upset, their high-powered offense is going to have to shine through once more.

In their win on Tuesday, the Hokies’ offensive attack came to the forefront at English Field in their 22-2 triumph over Radford.

Texas Tech transfer T.J. Rumfield left his stamp on the big victory with two home runs. Rumfield has been the offensive star for Tech, hitting .333 with 5 RBIs.

The defensive side of the ball has been just as productive for the Hokies. In three games, Tech defense has stymied opponents, giving up just five runs. Despite the disparity in competition, the Hokies may have the edge defensively.

Virginia Tech opens its ACC schedule with a bang, facing top-ten competition less than a week into the season. In order for the Hokies to come out on top, they’re going to need to prove they can reciprocate their past performances on both sides of the ball.

While the performances thus far warrant excitement from fans and players alike, Miami is a different animal. Tech will find out what it's made of this weekend.

For Miami, the errors are going to need to be limited. Tech has proven to get its bats on the ball early in the season, so the Canes need to play a clean game defensively to limit the unearned runs.

While Del Castillo has not provided exactly what has been expected of him thus far, he’s the ACC Preseason Player of the Year for a reason. Expect him to have a breakout performance this weekend.

Prediction: No. 6 Miami takes two-of-three from Virginia Tech