Virginia Tech Baseball 2021 Season Preview

Wyatt Krueger and Ryan Wilkes

February 21, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech begins its ‘Road to Omaha’ this weekend with a doubleheader against Kent State to open the 2021 season. Here’s what fans can expect to see out of Hokie baseball before taking the field at Atlantic Union Bank Park on Sunday.

Key Returners

#24 OF Nick Biddison

Biddison enters his sophomore year as the seventh best second baseman in the country, according to Division I Baseball’s Position Power Rankings. Although it is likely that he makes the transition to leftfield for freshman Tanner Schobel, Biddison is still one of Virginia Tech’s most reliable and experienced players. Starting all 16 games in 2020, Biddison was third on the team in batting average, hitting .344 with six RBI and two home runs.

#26 INF Kevin Madden

The Glenwood, Md. native started all 16 games for the Hokies last seaso at third base. Madden had five multi-hit games including a team-high three home runs in 2020, and will serve as another experienced and versatile player in the Virginia Tech lineup. With freshmen expected to contribute in the infield this season, expect to see Madden play multiple positions this year.

#3 P Chris Gerard

In four games started in 2020, Gerard led the pitching staff in 2020 with a 1.57 ERA, striking out 29 batters with only four walks. The lefty’s best start came against Louisiana, when he pitched seven innings and struckout 12. Gerard is ranked in Division I Baseball’s top 150 pitchers, and will serve as a versatile arm for the Hokies.

#34 P Anthony Simonelli

Simonelli provides experience as one of the few juniors on this team, but pitched well in four starts before the 2020 season was shut down due to COVID-19. The six-foot-two right hander struckout 26 batters and had a record of 2-1. Despite walking more batters than Gerard,

Simonelli’s fastball provides more power to the Hokies’ rotation.

Impactful Freshmen

#8 INF Tanner Schobel

The five-foot-ten infielder provides defensive athleticism, a powerful bat and a decorated resume for the team. In four years at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Va., Schobel set single season records for hits, runs and at bats. Look for Schobel to be an impact player in his first action as a Hokie.

#4 INF Fritz Genther

In 2020, Genther made an instant impact and started all 16 games for the Hokies. Genther showed speed around the bases, as he was tied for No. 45 in the country in stolen bases and scored 10 runs. Genther also posted a .260 batting average with 13 hits, including a three-hit game against Bryant. Because of the NCAA’s blanket waiver, Genther is still a freshman with four years of eligibility remaining.

Season at a Glance

The Hokies are a team that lacks upperclassmen depth, but have young pieces to be excited about with 32 freshmen on the active roster. Before last season was shut down due to COVID-19, Virginia Tech started to heat up and finished 11-5 after winning 10 of its last 12 games.

The Hokies are going to face a loaded ACC conference, as seven teams are in the preseason top 25, with Louisville, NC State and Georgia Tech in the top 15, according to Division I Baseball rankings.

Head coach John Szefc is looking to establish a winning program this season at Virginia Tech. If returning players continue to develop and freshmen take advantage of their opportunities, Szefc could have himself a consistent ACC contending team going forward.