Marshall University Athletics
Four-run Seventh Inning Gives Hokies 5-4 Win
4/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Four-run Seventh Inning Gives Hokies 5-4 Win
4/22/2005
- Box Score
BLACKSBURG, Va. - An RBI single by Billy Marn finished off a four-run sixth inning that pushed Virginia Tech to a 5-4 win over the Thundering Herd baseball team Friday night.
First pitch was delayed for just over an hour due to inclement weather, starting at about 8 p.m.. When the game got started, the offense of both teams got off to a slow start, with a combined two hits being recorded over the first two and a half innings. In the bottom of the third, Virginia Tech (15-17, 2-12 ACC) started off the scoring. Sheldon Adams hit a one-out single and after stealing second, scored on an infield single by Chris Stanton.
Marshall (12-21, 6-6 MAC) scored twice in the top of the fourth to grab what would be its only lead of the game. Adam Ptacek (Assaria, KS) singled to the left side to lead off. After stealing second, he moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Aaron Levinson (Seattle, WA). Next to the plate was Joe Glevenyak (West Palm Beach, FL), who was issued a walk. He would later steal second for his fifth stolen base of the season. With two outs, designated hitter Tommy Johnson (Gaithersburg, MD) once again came through in the clutch, hitting a two-RBI single right field to give the Herd the lead.
The Herd kept the lead until the Hokies had four runs cross the plate in the bottom of the sixth. VT center fielder Nate Parks walked to begin the inning and moved around the bases quickly, stealing second and moving to third on an error by MU catcher Nick Wolle (Coatesville, PA). With the infield in, Bryan Thomas singled through the left side to bring in the tying run.
After allowing another single, Herd pitcher Chris Koutsavlis (Pittsburgh, PA) struck out Matt Hacker for the first out of the inning. He was not as fortunate with the next batter, VT catcher Matt Foley, who tripled to right-center to bring in the two base runners and give the Hokies a 4-2 lead. Foley would later score on a hit by Billy Marn.
In the next half inning, the Herd grabbed two runs back to cut Virginia Tech's lead to one. Brad Helm (Downingtown, PA) doubled with one out and with two outs, Nick Wolle notched a single, his second hit of the day, and moved to second on a VT error. Helm would score on the play. Next up was Ptacek, who hit a fly ball to right, which was lost in the dense fog by right fielder Jose Cueto. Cueto would have the ball bounce off of his glove, allowing Ptacek to reach on the error and Wolle to score to make it a 5-4 game.
Virginia Tech threatened to extend their lead in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out, but relief pitcher Brendon Bump (Lawrence, KS) got a double play ball to end the inning. In the eighth, Marshall's offense had its opportunity to score. Glevenyak recorded his second hit of the day, a single up the middle to reach base. A sacrifice bunt by Aaron Jamieson (Lindsay, Ont.) moved Glevenyak to second with one out. Tommy Johnson would walk to put two batters on, but the run stopped there as a strikeout and fly out ended the inning. In the ninth, Marshall was downed in order by VT closer Randy Buffington to finish off the game.
Hokie starting pitcher Jake Chaney had a solid outing for VT, going eight innings allowing four runs, two earned on eight hits. He took the win, moving to 4-2. Buffington was credited with his third save of the year. Koutsavlis took his second straight loss, dropping to 2-4.
Both teams recorded eight hits in the game. Joe Glevenyak and Nick Wolle had two hits for the Herd while for VT, Chris Stanton and Jose Cueto had multi-hit games.
The Herd will look to even up the series in game two against the Hokies. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be viewed on Virginia Tech's website, www.hokiesports.com.
