Hokies Score Late to Defeat No. 1 Miami, 7-6, in Game 1
May 10, 2008
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech’s Justin Wright struck out seven in a complete game performance and the Hokies (21-29, 5-21 ACC) scored four runs in the final two innings to rally and defeat No. 1 Miami, 7-6, Saturday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at English Field. Dave DiNatale and Blake Tekotte each had a pair of hits for the Hurricanes, which fell to 40-6 and 21-3 in the ACC.
Miami starter Eric Erickson tossed 6 2/3 innings allowing five runs on nine hits and struck out five in a no decision. Carlos Gutierrez lost for the second time as he allowed two runs on three hits, walked three and struck out three.
Klint Reed led Virginia Tech going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Sean Ryan, Sean O’Brien and Austin Wates each had two hits for the Hokies, who out-hit Miami, 12-9.
Miami threatened in the top of the 9th. With two outs, Tekotte dropped a double into shallow right field, but Jemile Weeks flew out to left field to end the game.
Wates’ two-out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth put the Hokies ahead 7-6.
Virginia Tech scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game, 6-6.
Sean O’Brien hit a solo home run the bottom of the fifth getting the Hokies within, 5-2. DiNatale added a solo home run in the top of the sixth putting Miami ahead, 6-2, but Virginia Tech came right back with a solo home run from Klint Reed to make it, 6-3, in the bottom half of the sixth.
Virginia Tech drew within, 4-1, in bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, Austin Wates hit into a fielder’s choice which plated a run for Tech. Miami got the run back when DiNatale and Jason Hagerty hit back-to-back to doubles. Hagerty ripped the first pitch he saw down the left field line to plate DiNatale for a 5-1 Miami lead.
Week’s two-run home run – his 10th home run of the season – cleared the wall in center field as Miami pushed it to, 4-0, in the top of the second.
Terdoslavich knocked an RBI single right back up the middle with runners on first and second, which allowed Dennis Raben to score giving Miami a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Ryan Jackson made it 2-0 when he came home on Dave DiNatale’s fielder’s choice.
