March 3, 2004

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Ryan Kennedy pitched seven shutout innings as Virginia Tech opened its home baseball schedule Wednesday with a 4-0 win against Liberty University.

Kennedy (Punta Gorda, Fla.) teamed with relievers Adam Redd (Dumfries, Va.) and Nicky Bowers (Stuart, Va.) to post Tech's first shutout in a home opener since 1985. The sophomore lefty scattered six hits in his seven innings of work to even his season record at 1-1. He struck out seven batters and walked two, while allowing just two runners to reach second base. Redd gave up a hit and a walk in the eighth inning, but started an inning-ending double play that kept the shutout alive. Bowers pitched the ninth inning, allowing a one-out single before recording the final two outs.

Tech, now 2-2 on the season, gave Kennedy an early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Third baseman Chris Stanton (Centreville, Va.) led off the inning with a bunt-single. He stole second base and scored on a double inside the left field line by freshman shortstop Warren Schaeffer (Vandergrift, Pa.). Schaeffer scored the second run of the inning on a one-out double by designated hitter Jed English (Alexandria, Va.).

The Hokies increased their lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning when center fielder Sheldon Adams (Big Stone Gap, Va.) singled, moved up two bases on a wild pitch and scored on freshman second baseman Bryan Thomas' sacrifice fly. English drove home Tech's final run with a single in the eighth inning.

Stanton and English led Tech with two hits each. The Flames (3-4) got two hits apiece from center fielder Jeremiah Boles, designated hitter Peter Eastman and second baseman Michael Just. Right-hander Todd Mittauer (0-1) started and pitched five innings for LU.

Tech is scheduled to return to action on Thursday when George Mason University visits English Field for a 3 p.m. game.