April 10, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Sophomore Luke Padgett's three-run homer capped a five-run sixth inning for Virginia Tech as the Hokies rallied for a 12-9 non-conference baseball victory over the University of Richmond on Tuesday at English Field.

The two schools scored seven runs apiece during the first three innings before Richmond (19-14) grabbed a 9-7 advantage with two runs in the top of the fifth. The Hokies (17-17) used three hits, a pair of walks, four stolen bases and a wild pitch to regain the lead for good in the sixth.

Second baseman Matt Hacker (Richmond, Va.) got Tech going in that inning with a leadoff single. Hacker moved to second when center fielder Nate Parks (Roanoke, Va.) walked, and then both runners advanced on a double-steal. A ground out by shortstop Warren Schaeffer (Vandergrift, Pa.) sent Hacker home with the first run of the inning and advanced Parks to third, where he scored the second run on a wild pitch. Designated hitter Sean O'Brien (Chappaqua, N.Y.) then walked and stole second base. O'Brien moved to third on a single by first baseman Adam Redd (Dumfries, Va.), who wasted little time in stealing second base. After pinch hitter Matt Foley fouled out, third baseman Padgett (Lynchburg, Va.) smacked an offering from UR reliever Scott O'Neil (2-1) to left field for his third homer of the season, giving Tech a three-run advantage.

Sophomore right-hander Rhett Ballard (High Point, N.C.) entered the game in the sixth inning and gave the Hokies three shutout innings to pick up the victory, his fifth against two losses. Lefty Brett Fox (North Potomac, Md.) and right-hander Scott Stoehr (Timberville, Va.) took care of the ninth inning, with Stoehr picking up his first save of the year.

Tech starting pitcher Evan Frederickson (Oak Hill, Va.) got off to a rocky start with four walks, two wild pitches and a hit batsman in the first inning that led to a pair of Richmond runs without the benefit of a hit. UR second baseman Benji Marshall drew a leadoff walk, took second base when designated hitter Hank Coogan was hit by a pitch and then moved to third on a one-out walk to left fielder Vince Riggi. Marshall was forced home on a two-out walk to center fielder Joe White and Coogan scored on a wild pitch.

The Hokies scored in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by O'Brien. Tech took a 3-2 lead in the second when two runs scored on a Richmond throwing error following a bunt-single by right fielder Sean Ryan (Ashburn, Va.).

After striking out the side in the second inning, Fredrickson issued walks to the first four batters he faced in the top of the third to tie the game. UR third baseman Austin Reilly followed with a single to plate another run, and starting shortstop Victor Croglio lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to make the score 5-3. The Spiders added additional runs on a Tech throwing error and a wild pitch, giving them five runs in the inning and seven altogether, despite having just one hit.

Tech tied the game with four runs of its own in the bottom of the third. A double by Padgett, sandwiched between a pair of walks, loaded the bases with two outs. Richmond starting pitcher Matt Trent then hit Ryan with a pitch to force a run home. Hacker followed with a two-run single, and then executed a double steal with Ryan to produce Tech's final run of the inning.

The Spiders went back ahead in the fifth, when catcher Evan Stehle doubled and then scored on a two-out triple by Marshall. Coogan then singled home Marshall to give UR a 9-7 lead.

White, who walked twice with the bases loaded, led Richmond with two hits and two RBIs. The Spiders' nine hits in the game came from eight different batters.

The Hokies finished with 11 hits, including three apiece by Padgett and Redd. Padgett finished with a 3-for-4 day that included three RBIs and three runs scored.

Tech is scheduled to face Radford at Dedmon Center Park on Wednesday afternoon at 3.