The Hokies pulled off a Game 2 walk off baserunning win against the Clemson Tigers in was really a brutal pitchers’ duel. So, secured a first game bye in the ACC Tournament. Their attempt at a sweep went by the pitching meltdown wayside, however. There was a solid attempt at a late inning rally; but the “good bat karma” ran out that leaves them on the NCAA post season bubble.

Game 2 – Clemson – Win – 2-1: Dull with a Wild Walk-off Finish

Well, the Hokies really needed a series win to get the shot at a first-round bye in the ACC post season tournament. If they could grab a win in either or both Games 2 and 3, they’d get a break and a better seeding choice for the season ender.

Well, Game 2, looked like a classic no-offense pitchers’ duel, with both Clemson and Tech keeping runners from crossing the plate for almost the entire game. Clemson managed a run in the top of the 3rd, but their 9 hits were scattered and of little end consequence, and the Hokies matched them at about 50%.

There are times when it pays off to hang around for the entire game, though. Pitchers’ duels especially when the pitching is totally backed up by excellent quality fielding instead of brilliant pitching is usually boring enough to send the casual fans to the exits. If you look at the video, and see call, you certainly missed one of the wildest and most unusual walk-off wins in quite a while.

It was like some little league shadow fantasy ball scenes as the kid with the bat comes up to the plate (It might have been an actual paper plate – who knows?) Setting up the table for his “ups” just before it is time to wrap up the sandlot game and head home for dinner.

Well, there’s no dirt at English Field (a pet gripe of mine) but you get the picture. Coach Szefc is known for teaching and emphasizing small ball, manufacturing runs, and executing interesting base running plays. He’s been known to call back-to-back squeeze plays and have both plays work. On this one, a little subterfuge and a distraction on a run-down between first and second worked the magic as Nick Locurto sneaks off third, and sprints for home plate before the tag can happen.

Of course, the game wouldn’t have been tied up if Locurto hadn’t singled in Pete Daniel. Sometimes it just takes one player and some gumption to turn the tide.

The walk-off win gave the series to the Hokies and set the stage for the selection folks for the ACC Tournament to seed the team with a first round bye.

Game 2 – Clemson – Loss

Winning game 3 wasn’t completely necessary for the ACC Tournament seeding, but it did have a big play in the final regular season status for the Hokies as an NCAA Regional Tournament team on the bubble. A sweep at the end of the season would have improved their numbers just enough to pop the bubble in their favor for the early rounds of the NCAA tournament.

It wasn’t going to happen this time, unfortunately. It would have been their first ACC sweep of the season, but pitching problems rose up and bit starter Griffin Stieg, and the fast start of 4 runs in the first inning for Tech was just passed by in the 2nd and 3rd as the Hokie bats noodled out and the pitching staff gave up five in the top of the 3rd. Tech would try to nibble back and even made a serious push at another walk-off rally in the bottom of the 9th, but they just ran out of outs and bats.

It wasn’t the worst outcome, but a win would have really made the tournament score card look much better.

Next up, the Hokies meet either Notre Dame or Clemson in the 2nd round of the ACC Tournament on May 20th at 5:00.

GO HOKIES!!!!