April 5, 2005

PETERSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech banged out a season-high 19 hits on the way to a 19-9 victory over Virginia Commonwealth University at the Petersburg Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

Tech (10-11) scored two runs in the first inning and never trailed in a game that was dominated by offense. The two teams combined for 28 runs and 33 hits, including 13 doubles and four home runs. The Hokies scored runs in seven of the nine innings, while the Rams (16-7) scored in six

Freshman second baseman Matt Hacker (Glen Allen, Va.) got it all started with a run-scoring single in the top of the first inning. Right fielder Billy Marn (Yorktown, Va.) followed with a double to score Hacker, and Tech was off and running.

A solo home run by VCU leadoff hitter Joe Meador cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first, but Tech responded with four runs in the second inning. A two-run single by Hacker and run-producing singles by Marn and catcher Matt Foley (Lansdowne, Va.) accounted for the runs.

The Rams narrowed the gap to 6-4 with three runs in the bottom of the second and edged within a run with another score in the third. That was as close as VCU would get. Tech tacked three runs on the board in the fourth and two more in the fifth before putting contest away with eight runs over the final three innings.

Tech starting pitcher Casey Herald (Tazewell, Va.) lasted just two innings and reliever M.J. Hurley (Wilmington, N.C.) faced just four batters before the Hokies turned things over to freshman Bobby West (Blacksburg, Va.). West (3-1) threw over 100 pitches in finishing out the game and picking up a much deserved win. The first-year right-hander scattered nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned), struck out a career-best seven batters and walked just one man.

VCU, on the other hand, used a total of seven pitchers in the game. Rams' starter Michael Gibbs lasted just 1 2/3 innings and suffered his first loss of the season after posting a pair of wins.

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Marn paced the Hokies with a 4-for-5 evening that included two doubles, two runs batted in and three runs scored. Hacker contributed three hits and four RBIs in six trips to the plate, while Foley drove in three runs with two hits and a sacrifice fly. Sophomore center fielder Nate Parks (Salem, Va.) collected his first collegiate home run, a two-run shot in the seventh inning, and senior second baseman Tom Blaszak picked up two hits, three walks and three runs scored. Left fielder Sheldon Adams (Big Stone Gap, Va.) also reached base five times with three hits and a pair of walks.

Meador led VCU with four hits, three runs scored and two runs batted in. The Rams, who used 21 players in the game, also got solo home runs from designated hitter Tim St. Claire and third baseman Barrett Ripley.

Tech is scheduled to complete its Richmond swing with a 3 p.m., contest at the University of Richmond on Wednesday.