vcu salvages series split with no. 18 virginia tech

Nick Cheshire

March 11, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — On a picturesque Wednesday in Blacksburg, VCU avenged Tuesday’s walk-off defeat with a 10-7 victory over No. 18 Virginia Tech in the second game of the back-to-back midweek series.

The Rams (6-6) took down the Hokies, (8-3, 4-2 ACC) behind 13 hits and three, three-run innings. Bradford Webb toed the rubber for VCU, squaring off against VT’s Jackson Ritchey, who made his first career start.

The Hokies struck first, taking a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a rocket up the middle from first baseman TJ Rumfield. The RBI single gave Tech its first and only lead of the game, as VT attempted yet another come-from-behind victory, but came up short.

VCU responded quickly, abruptly taking the lead in the top of the second by scoring three. With runners on second and third, back-to-back wild pitches from Ritchey led to rapid runs for the Rams.

Rams’ third baseman Tyler Locklear laced a triple into right-center that scored a third for VCU and knocked Ritchey out of the game after just 1 ⅔ innings. RItchey took the loss in his first career start, and allowed three earned runs on three hits with three walks.

Locklear led the Rams offensively, totalling three hits that included the triple and drove in two runs.

In the bottom of the third, the Hokies cut the lead in half on a Tanner Schobel ground-rule double.

A walk surrendered by Webb loaded the bases, ending his afternoon after just 2 ⅔ innings. Tech, however, was unable to capitalize, after shortstop Fritz Genther grounded out to first base, stranding three runners and heading into the fourth inning still down, 3-2.

The Rams added three more in the top of the fourth, two more coming on additional miscues from the Hokies — one a wild pitch and the other a passed ball.

Both proved costly with the bases loaded. Miscommunication on a high chopper on the infield grass between Rumfield and pitcher Ryan Metz led to the third run, stretching the lead to 6-2.

Tech responded in the bottom of the fifth with three of its own, beginning with a leadoff triple from Gavin Cross, that just tailed too far away from a diving VCU left fielder.

Cross was instrumental for the Hokies’ offense, going 4-for-5, and added two stolen bases.

From there on out, the Hokies’ offense was largely quiet, while the Rams were able to add another triad of runs in the seventh on a pair of RBI doubles and an RBI single from Locklear.

The back end of the VCU bullpen was able to hold a potent VT offense to just one run over the final three frames, sealing the win.

Virginia Tech will continue its homestand Friday, with the first of a three game weekend series against Florida State, while VCU travels home to Richmond to host Towson on this weekend.