Miscues Plague Hokies in Second straight game

Wyatt Krueger

March 17, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 25 Virginia Tech (9-6, 5-4 ACC) has won one of its last five games. Miscues in the field and on the mound have plagued the Hokies, and it showed again on Tuesday, where UNC Greensboro (11-5) won convincingly, 7-2.

With runners on second and third in the top of the first inning, Spartan right fielder David Flores popped a shallow fly ball to left field.

As left fielder Tanner Thomas came forward to make the play from left, shortstop Fritz Genther ran towards the ball with the same demeanor.

The two collided and fell over, and although Genther came down with the catch, it allowed Corey Rosier to tag up and score from third, giving UNC Greensboro a 1-0 lead early. Genther left the game the inning after his collision.

In the top of the sixth, the Spartans scored two more runs via three ground ball singles — one of which didn’t leave the infield. They added two additional runs after Nolan Johnson threw a wild pitch and then a fly ball that dropped between four Hokie defenders.

It was that type of day for UNC Greensboro, who took advantage of two errors and numerous miscommunications by the Virginia Tech defense in the sixth inning to break the tie and take a 5-1 lead.

Second baseman Lucas Donlon, who replaced Genther in the second inning, doubled to left field that tied the game in the bottom of the third. Donlon collected his first hit of the season on a home run last week against VCU, and was one of the only silver linings on offense for the Hokies.

Spartan catcher Dallas Callahan had a stellar day behind home plate, throwing out all four base runners that attempted a steal, which became the record for most times Virginia Tech base runners have been caught stealing a game ever.

UNC Greensboro’s Brendan Collins earned the win, as the right handed sophomore was throwing mid-to-upper 90s all afternoon. Collins pitched five and ⅔ innings, allowed four hits and gave up two earned runs. For much of the afternoon, Virginia Tech batters couldn’t make solid contact off of his fastball.

The Hokies look to get back on track this weekend, as they head to Clemson, S.C. to take on the Tigers, who are currently tied for last place in the early ACC season.