February 16, 2001

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Virginia Tech banged out 18 hits but still had to hold off Campbell University in the late innings to earn a 5-4 season-opening baseball victory on the road Friday afternoon.

Tech (1-0) managed at least one hit in every inning, but only enjoyed a 1-0 lead heading into the sixth inning. The Hokies scored their first run in the second inning when designated hitter Jed English (So., Alexandria, Va.) reached base on a fielding error. English advanced to third base on back-to-back singles by first baseman John West (Jr., Thurmont, Md.) and second baseman Marc Tugwell (So., Springfield, Va.). He scored on a single off the bat of left fielder Ryan Murphy (So., Nashville, Tenn.).

Tech starting pitcher Jason Bush (Jr., Richmond, Va.) did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and carried a shutout into the seventh inning. By that time, the Hokies had improved their lead to 3-0 on a run-scoring double by Tugwell in the sixth and a RBI-single by English in the top of the seventh.

Campbell (3-0) reached Bush for a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when right fielder Nic Carter singled, advanced to second on a ground-out, stole third and scored on another ground-ball out. Tech answered with a run in the eighth on Tugwell's second double of the game, only to see the Fighting Camels score twice in the bottom of the frame to cut the Hokies' lead to 4-3.

Bush left the game in the eighth after giving up a lead-off home run to Campbell second baseman Tony Della Costa and a double to designated hitter Jeff Huff. Reliever Anthony Miller (Sr., Richmond, Va.) got the Hokies out of the inning, but not before surrendering a run-scoring double to CU shortstop Bradley Coates.

Tech got a crucial insurance run in the top of the ninth when right fielder Chris Hutchison (Jr., Newport, Va.) led off the inning with a double for his fourth hit of the game. Hutchison moved to third base on a passed ball and came home on a one-out single by catcher Kevin Bice (Sr., Charlottesville, Va.).

Campbell managed another run in the bottom of the inning before Miller coaxed Huff to ground into a force play to end the game. Bush gained the win for Tech, while Miller, who struck out four men in his two innings of work, earned a save. CU starting pitcher Rob Finch (0-2) took the loss.

Hutchison led Tech's hit parade with a 4-for-5 day that included two runs scored. West had three hits, including a triple, and scored twice. Tugwell and Bowman also finished with three-hit games, while Murphy and Bice had two hits apiece.

Tech and Campbell are scheduled to meet again on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Va. Tech	010 001 111  --  5   18     0
Campbell	000 000 121  --  4   10     1

Bush, Miller (8) and Bice. Finch, Bayrer (7), Murray (8) and Wiley.
W- Bush (1-0) L- Finch (0-2) Sv- Miller (1) HRs- Della Costa (CU) 8th, none on.