Virginia Tech Looks for Fourth Straight Win Against radford

Chris Hirons

February 23, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Cross-town rivalries are always fun, eh?

But wait, is it really considered a rivalry when one team has won six of the last seven matchups?

Either way one were to view it, the fact remains — Virginia Tech (2-0), who has taken all but one of the games in the past four seasons, and Radford (2-1) will square off on English Field’s turf diamond Tuesday afternoon.

Neither the Hokies nor the Highlanders have yet left the New River Valley this season. Radford hosted Ohio over the weekend, taking two-of-three against the Bobcats. Meanwhile, Kent State travelled to Blacksburg for a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, which resulted in two wins for Tech.

After starting the season out strong with a win in a pitchers duel and a nine-run offensive on Sunday, Virginia Tech will look to ride the momentum it built with its win after edging out a top-80 draft prospect in Sunday’s first leg — Nick Albright.

Radford Key to the Game: Limit the Walks

It was pretty clear that VT’s best strength was its patience at the plate. The offense drew six walks in the first game and an additional seven in the second leg. Most of the damage Virginia Tech’s created was by moving runners over and manufacturing runs. Across the two games, the Hokies only combined for 11 hits — eight of them coming in game two’s 9-2 blowout.

As long as Radford’s starter can find the plate, who knows if the Virginia Tech bats will be able to touch him.

Virginia Tech Key to the Game: Play Error-Free Defense

Tech’s key to success against Kent State? Two clean games of error-free baseball. Heck, even manager John Szefc pointed it out in his post-game press conference.

“We played 18 innings of error-free ball,” he said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

There were a few times on Sunday where a Kent State player ripped a double to the outfield with an out in the inning. Had VT committed an error with the runner on? Well, let’s say Sunday could have turned out a lot different for the Hokies.

The defense turned some slick double plays to get its pitchers out of tough jams, too. That’ll be worth keeping an eye on as well.

Radford Player to Watch: Outfielder Connor Bagnieski

Radford’s best recruit over the offseason was unquestionably transfer Connor Bagnieski. The redshirt junior previously played two seasons at Florida Southwestern State College and finished his career with a .283 average. In the shortened 2020 season, Bagnieski hit .316 with three doubles, 13 runs batted in and six stolen bases in 22 games.

He only singled twice in 14 at-bats in the season-opening series against Ohio, but he’ll be one to watch since he’s a threat to run once he reaches base.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Outfielder Gavin Cross

Big things are expected from outfielder Gavin Cross in 2021 after he was named to Collegiate Baseball’s All-American Freshman team last season, where hit .369 and stole seven bases in 16 games. He followed that up with two hits — one of them being a two-run home run — and three RBIs in Tech’s second win against the Golden Flashers.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 6, Radford 2.