Tech Baseball Sweeps Boston College

The Virginia Tech Hokies baseball team swept Boston College in a three-game series over the weekend and improved to 32-14 (14-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference).

For many, the highlight was Tech's 3-1 victory in the second game of the series Saturday at English Field.

The closely contested game was dominated by solid pitching, and the offense was generated by home runs by both teams.

The Hokies, ranked 18th in the country in Baseball America’s poll, rode a complete game pitching performance from junior right hander Mathew Price, who allowed one earned run on six hits. Price (6-3) also tallied nine strikeouts as he struck out the side in the seventh and five of the last nine Boston College Eagles.

The Hokies offense was led by redshirt freshman outfielder Andrew Rash who went two for three with a triple and a towering two run homer in the fourth, the Hokies only RBIs.

“I got a fastball that I could handle,” said Rash, “their pitcher was real crafty, he did a great job keeping our hitters off balanced for the most part.”

The Hokies struck first when Boston College’s junior starting pitcher, Pat Dean, (5-1) loaded the bases after hitting two Hokie batters in the first inning. Junior outfielder Austin Wates then grounded into a six-four-three RBI double play. Dean got out of the jam when sophomore Ronnie Shaban grounded out to the shortstop.

The Eagles answered in the top of the second when senior outfielder John Spatola hit a solo shot, the Eagles' only run off of Price.

The Hokies next offense was Rash’s home run. The Hokies also squandered a scoring opportunity in the fifth when Dean hit two more batters before Shaban flew out to center field to end the scoring threat.

While Dean pitched six strong innings he struggled with his control and hit four batters. Otherwise, he acquitted himself well by using a good amount of off-speed pitches to keep the Hokies guessing and usually off the scoreboard.

After the Spatola home run, Price settled down and dominated the Boston College batters. He scattered four hits after the first inning and earned the complete game victory.

“I felt real comfortable out there today” said Price. “I go out there knowing every game I pitch is another step towards making the NCAA tournament.”

Tech’s defense was at times shaky during the game. They were charged with three errors, but none came back to hurt the Hokies.

Virginia Tech coach Pete Hughes, who was unavailable for comment, was reportedly pleased with how Price pitched, but was not happy with our defense or how the offense sputtered from time to time.

“He said we need to make the routine plays, but he was proud how we fought after we made the errors and didn’t compound them,” said Rash.

The Hokies earned the sweep Sunday with a 10-5 victory. They had won the first game against B.C., 9-4.