GAME RECAP: Virginia Tech Avoids the Sweep, Erupts for Six Unanswered Runs in 9-6 Upset Over No. 5 Georgia Tech

ATLANTA, Ga. — Facing a three-run deficit and the very real threat of an 0-3 start to ACC play, the Virginia Tech Hokies refused to roll over on Sunday afternoon at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium. The Hokies poured on six unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings, collecting a season-high 14 hits to down No. 5 Georgia Tech 9-6 and avoid the weekend sweep in dramatic fashion.

It was the first ranked victory of the 2026 season for Virginia Tech (9-7, 1-2 ACC), snapping a six-game losing skid after rough ACC-opening losses of 16-1 and 14-5. Georgia Tech fell to 14-3 (2-1 ACC) despite early power from its lineup.

Griffin Stieg gave the Hokies a fighting chance on the mound, working four innings with five strikeouts while limiting one of the nation’s hottest offenses to four runs on six hits. But the Yellow Jackets grabbed the early momentum with a two-run homer from Ryan Zuckerman in the second and a solo shot from Vahn Lackey in the fourth, building a 6-3 lead after five.

That’s when the Hokies’ bats came alive. Freshman second baseman Ethan Ball sparked the rally in the sixth with a two-RBI double. Sam Grube followed with a base hit, and Hudson Lutterman delivered the game-tying single to center to knot things at 6-6. Virginia Tech wasn’t done.

In the seventh, with the bases loaded, Grube ripped a line drive into the right-field corner for two more insurance runs, pushing the Hokies in front 9-6. A weather delay of one hour and 57 minutes followed shortly after, but the momentum had already shifted for good.

When play resumed, the Virginia Tech bullpen took over. Luke Craytor earned the win (2-0) by slamming the door in the sixth with a pair of strikeouts. Then Preston Crowl delivered a flawless three-inning save (his first of the year), facing nine batters and retiring all nine while striking out four — including back-to-back punchouts to close out the seventh and inducing a key 6-3 double play in the eighth.

Grube led the offensive charge, going 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs in what was easily his best day of the young season. Ball notched two hits and two RBIs for his seventh multi-hit game as a freshman. Pete Daniel added two doubles and two runs scored, while nine different Hokies (including eight starters) recorded at least one hit in the season-high 14-hit attack.

The Hokies’ pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts on the day, holding Georgia Tech scoreless over the final four innings.

This one had everything — a gritty comeback, timely hitting, lockdown relief, and a lengthy rain delay — but most importantly, it gave Virginia Tech its first ACC win and some much-needed momentum heading into a week off.

The Hokies are now off until Friday, March 13, when they open the Commonwealth Clash presented by Smithfield against rival Virginia at Davenport Field in Charlottesville. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.