Virginia Tech Slips Past Dukes with Late Inning Runs

Tuesday, April 25

Blacksburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

23-17

Virginia Tech

24-14

James Madison

Virginia Tech

4/25/2023 11:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, Va. – James Madison entered the bottom of the eighth win a two-run lead over Virginia Tech, but a four-run inning allowed the hosts to slip by, 7-5, on Tuesday evening at Atlantic Union Bank Center in non-conference baseball.

The Dukes dropped to 23-17 while the Hokies improved to 24-14.

Despite taking the loss, sophomore Matt Leikus had a career day with four innings and six strikeouts in relief on the mound. The six strikeouts in relief are the most by a Duke since Brett Ayer tossed six on Feb. 21, 2020. At the dish, redshirt senior Kyle Novak led the way for JMU with a career-high tying 4-for-4 effort with a run scored and an RBI.

Matthew Silverling earned his second win of the year for VT.

How It Happened
Third Inning
After two shutout innings from starter Jack Cone, Virginia Tech broke the scoreless tie with three runs. After a walk and a single put two on, a bunt single scored the first run. A double steal added the second run before Eddie Eisert was caught stealing to allow a third run to score.

Fourth Inning
The Dukes got a run back the next half inning after a single and a walk were followed by a single from graduate Jaylon Lee that Eisert in left field was unable to get a sliding glove under to make it 3-1.

Sixth Inning
Sophomore Fenwick Trimble drew a leadoff walk before freshman Mike Mancini joined him on the base paths with an infield single. Novak then stepped up two batters later and used his third hit of the day to knock in Trimble and put runners on second and third. A sacrifice fly from sophomore Jason Schiavone would score Mancini and tie the game at three.

Seventh Inning
After back-to-back singles and a stolen base by Trimble put a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs, Mancini found a hole through the left side of the infield to plate both runners and give JMU its first lead of the night at 5-3.

Eighth Inning
The Dukes were able to get two quick outs on a strikeout and a caught stealing to eliminate a leadoff walk. The Hokies then rang off four runs starting with a double. A hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases before a balk on redshirt junior Matt Kleinfelter allowed a run to score. Three straight walks and an infield single scored three more runs for the hosts to take a 7-4 lead.

Up Next
The Dukes continue their road trip with a weekend in Boone, N.C. as they open up a three-game set from April 28-30 with App State. Friday's series opener is slated for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.