Virginia Tech Baseball: Hokies Beat No. 1 Hoos, 3-1

It was a rainy, gloomy day in Blacksburg as the Hokies took on the visiting Virginia Cavaliers in game 2 of a three-game series. The final result, however, turned an otherwise dreary afternoon into a triumphant one. The Hokies earned their first series win over a top-ranked team in program history. Tech defeated No. 1 Virginia 3-1.

Sophomore Aaron McGarity started for the Hokies and delivered another outstanding pitching performance. In 6 2/3 innings of work, McGarity allowed just one unearned run and induced an amazing 14 ground ball outs. With another day of tough offensive conditions, McGarity said the key was to consistently work in the bottom half of the zone.

"Keeping the ball down was feeling awesome today," said McGarity. "As long as I pounded the zone, they were going to hopefully get themselves out."

The Cavaliers did scrape across their only run of the day in the top of the first after leadoff hitter Adam Haseley singled and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Daniel Pinero followed with a fly ball to right center to move Haseley to third. Haseley raced home on a grounder to second baseman Alex Perez, the first of nine on the day, to give the 'Hoos an early 1-0 lead.

The top of the Hokies lineup answered in the bottom of the third to even up the game. Saige Jenco led off with a single up the middle and then stole his team-leading fifth base of the year. Miguel Ceballos grounded out to second to move Jenco to third and then Perez lofted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored the speedy Jenco without a throw.

The Hokies tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to put them ahead 3-1. While the Hokies weren't smashing the ball around the ballpark off of talented UVA pitcher Connor Jones, solid base running paired with two walks and three infield singles in the frame did the job.

In the top of the fifth, a Justin Novak two-out double down the left field line followed by a walk placed runners on first and second. With the 'Hoos desperate for a big hit, Pinero laced a single directly at left fielder Miguel Ceballos, who is affectionately known as the "Cuban Missile" because of his arm strength. The Cavaliers third base coach, apparently unaware of the nickname, waved Novak home. Ceballos came up throwing and easily gunned down Novak to maintain the Hokies two run lead.

"It was huge," said Coach Mason. "He's probably got the best arm in our program. It was a tremendous play by him."

Still nursing a two run lead thanks to the right arm of Ceballos, McGarity encountered further trouble in the top of the seventh. After recording two quick outs and surpassing the 100 pitch mark, McGarity sandwiched a walk between two singles to load the bases with Cavaliers. With the tying run standing at second base, Coach Mason opted to bring in closer Luke Scherzer for a seven out save.

With Cavaliers star shortstop Daniel Pinero at the plate, McGarity sat in the dugout and could do nothing but watch as the game hung in the balance. While most starters would be pacing the dugout in anticipation, McGarity's nerves were calmed by the man who stood on the mound.

"I knew he was the guy to get the job done," said McGarity. "No other guy on our staff I trust in more than Luke."

Scherzer, who embraces the "bulldog" mentality seen in most closers, says his mindset was simple.

"Go right at him," Scherzer said, not mincing words. "That was my plan all along... you got to go right at these hitters."

Quicky facing an 0-1 count, Pinero lazily flew out to Perez on the second pitch he saw to end the threat, bringing the Hokie faithful to their feet.

Scherzer worked a quick eighth inning and the Hokies went down in order in the bottom half to send the game to the ninth.

Tensions rose at English Field in the top of the ninth as two Cavalier singles and a free pass from Scherzer loaded the bases with two outs. Make no mistake, though, this was Scherzer's game to finish.

"There's no sweat there," said Coach Mason. "We weren't looking at the bullpen, we didn't have anyone hot, it was going to be Luke's game and we were comfortable with that."

With the full confidence of his teammates and coaches in tow, Scherzer struck out UVA's 3-hitter Pavin Smith to give the Hokies an emotional series win over their fierce rival.

Junior Jon Woodcock will take the mound tomorrow at 1:00 P.M. with an opportunity to send the top-ranked 'Hoos back to Charlottesville winless. Fresh off of an emotional victory, Coach Mason was optimistic about Woodcock's chances to give the Hokies the sweep.

"I think he matches up great. Seeing what Aaron and Sean have done in mixing all of their pitches and throwing a ton of strikes...he has the ability to do the same," Mason said.