hokies win home opener behind huge second inning

Leo Peschio

February 19, 2020

BLACKSBURG, VA. – Virginia Tech earned its first win of the season Tuesday night in their home opener against Eastern Tennessee State by a final score of 10-3.

“This was a really good night for us,” head coach John Szefc said. “You had a ton of contributions. Seven guys got on the mound and every position player played. You kind of hope your first home game will go that way.”

It was a second inning outburst that saw 14 batters take at bats leading to nine runs scored, giving Tech an early lead. The Hokies managed to plate eight runs during the inning with two outs, and Tech coasted from there.

Kevin Madden’s second at bat of the second inning brought the thunder in a game that was initially delayed 90 minutes due to inclement weather. The third baseman jumped on a 1-0 fastball middle in and launched it to left, driving in three runs. The home run was the first of Madden’s sophomore season, the fourth in his career.

“We had runners on first and third, so I was thinking about piling it on a little bit,” Madden said. “I got a good fastball, adjusted my hips well and just got out ahead of one.”

Staff ace Ian Seymour was only needed for three innings and was almost flawless, striking out six of the 11 batters he faced. Seymour also struck out the side in the top of the second.

Seymour was responsible for only one run on two hits, earning the win in his first start of the season. He was scheduled to pitch last Sunday before a rainout delayed his debut.

“I was a little upset on Sunday for sure,” Seymour said. “I haven’t thrown in a long time, so I was jacked up, I was excited.”

Seymour was pulled after the third inning to give him four days of rest before he starts this Friday in Louisiana.

“For me, the biggest thing was he didn’t walk anybody,” Szefc said. “He got after hitters. We wanted to keep him around 45 (pitches) and he threw 40. We wanted to get him work but we didn’t want to extend him too much before Friday.

While the bullpen ultimately cost Virginia Tech two games during their trip to South Carolina, they put together a strong outing tonight.

Peyton Alford, Jaison Heard, Matthew Silverling, Zach Brzykcy, Stephen Restuccio and Peter Sakellaris combined for six innings, giving up only two runs on seven hits. The group also struck out seven batters, silencing any thought of a Buccaneer comeback.

With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 1-2 on the season. The Hokies travel to Lafayette for a three-game series beginning Friday, February 21 against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns.