Virginia Tech Drops Tight One to Miami, 11-9

English Field record crowd of 3,132 supports Tech after Monday's tragic event.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

BLACKSBURG, Va. - An English Field record 3,132 fans turned out on Friday night to witness the first Virginia Tech athletic event in Blacksburg since Monday's tragic events, and they nearly saw the Hokies pull off the improbable before falling 11-9 to the Miami Hurricanes in Atlantic Coast Conference baseball action.

Down 10-5 in the eighth inning, Tech mounted a furious comeback that was cut just short by an incredible catch at the wall that robbed Tech shortstop Warren Schaeffer of a game-tying home run.

The Hokies (17-21, 4-15 ACC) came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth down 11-8, and came within inches of tying it up.

Centerfielder Nate Parks hit a one-out single before stealing second, and moved to third on first baseman Sean O'Brien's ground out.

Third baseman Bryan Thomas stroked a single to left to plate Parks, bringing shortstop Warren Schaeffer to the plate.

The senior launched what looked to be a sure home run to deep left field, but Miami left fielder Nick Freitas leapt at the wall to pull the ball back into the park and end the game.

Miami (23-17, 9-10 ACC) got at least one hit from each of its starters, and was led by right fielder Dennis Raben's 3-for-5 performance.

Starting pitcher Scott Maine earned the win for the Hurricanes, going six innings while giving up four hits.

He allowed five runs, but just one was earned, and he improved his record to 3-5. Relief pitcher Danny Gil pitched the ninth to earn his third save.

The Hokies tallied eight hits on the night, but no one recorded more than one. Catcher Anthony Sosnoskie led the way with three RBIs, and O'Brien scored two of Tech's nine runs.

Starting pitcher Adam Redd took the loss to drop to 2-4 on the season, as he gave up seven runs and seven hits in five innings. He also issued five walks, but struck out six.

Miami started the emotional night by loading the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning.

Redd walked Miami leadoff batter Blake Tekotte, gave up a single to second baseman Roger Tomas and then walked first baseman Yonder Alonso to fill the bases.

A single by Raben scored Tekotte with the only run of the inning. Redd struck out left fielder Mark Sobolewski for the first out and picked Alonzo off second base for out number two. He then fanned designated hitter Jemile Weeks to end the inning.

The Hokies took advantage of a two-out throwing error by the Hurricanes to score four runs in the bottom of the second inning.

With left fielder Jose Cueto on second base following a single and a stolen base, catcher Matt Foley's ground ball to short was thrown away at first for a two-base error that allowed Cueto to score.

Maine hit Tech right fielder Sean Ryan with a pitch before giving up an RBI-single to second baseman Matt Hacker.

Ryan scored the third run of the inning on a double-steal with Hacker moving to second. Hacker scored the final run of the inning when he stole third base and came home on a throwing error by the catcher.

Tech's 4-1 advantage was short-lived as the Hurricanes loaded the bases once again in the third inning with no outs.

A walk, a hit batsman and a single by Raben set the stage for a two-run double off the bat of Sobolewski. Two more runs scored on ground outs as the 'Canes moved back ahead 5-4.

A sacrifice fly by Hokie designated hitter Luke Padgett tied the game in the bottom of the third. O'Brien's single started the inning.

O'Brien moved to second on a walk to third baseman Thomas. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt, which set the stage for Padgett.

Miami moved back on top 7-5 in the fifth inning on a run-scoring single by third baseman Gus Menendez and a sacrifice fly by shortstop Ryan Jackson.

Jackson also contributed an RBI-single in the seventh as UM added two more runs to its total. The other run came on a double by catcher Richard O'Brien.

Alonzo smashed his 11th home run of the season in the eighth inning with the bases empty to make it 10-5.

In the Hokies' half of the eighth, Thomas walked and moved to second on a Schaeffer single.

Freshman Steve Bumbry drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases for Sosnoskie, who stroked a pinch-hit double to clear the bases and cut the Miami lead to 10-8.

Miami added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. O'Brien singled to lead off the inning before Jackson dropped down a sacrifice bunt.

The throw to second was errant, however, and allowed O'Brien to move to third. He then scored on a Tomas fielder's choice.

Tech and Miami are scheduled to play game two of their three game series on Saturday at 5:00 PM.

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