Shutout Bid Broken Late, Virginia Tech Wins 7-1 (3-20-26)
By: Joey Raymond
Headline Photo Credit: Virginia Tech athletics
Blacksburg, VA – The Virginia Tech Hokies baseball delivered a complete performance on both sides of the ball, riding a dominant outing from starting pitcher Brendan Yagesh and timely hitting to secure a 7–1 victory over the Duke Blue Devils baseball.
From the opening pitch, it was clear this one would be dictated by pitching — and Yagesh set the tone immediately.
Yagesh Sets the Standard Early
The Hokies’ right-hander came out dealing in the first inning, striking out the side around a groundout to retire Duke in order. That rhythm carried through the early frames, as Yagesh consistently kept Blue Devil hitters off balance with a mix of command and composure.
Through the first three innings, Duke struggled to generate any momentum. A lone infield single and a brief baserunner threat in the third were quickly erased by sharp defensive plays, including a heads-up pickoff that ended the inning and preserved a scoreless tie.
Missed Opportunity Turns Into Breakthrough
While Yagesh was cruising, the Hokies had their first big chance in the second inning. After Sam Gates singled and swiped a base, Pete Daniel worked a walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs. But Duke escaped unscathed, forcing a popout and back-to-back strikeouts to keep the game scoreless — a moment that could have shifted momentum early.
Instead, Virginia Tech regrouped in the third.
After two quick outs, the Hokies strung together quality at-bats. Ethan Ball and Hudson Lutterman each reached base, followed by a walk to load the bases. That set the stage for Daniel, who delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle to break the deadlock and give the Hokies a 2–0 lead.
Small Ball Extends the Lead
Virginia Tech continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning. After Henry Cooke reached with a single, aggressive baserunning became the story.
Treyson Hughes advanced on a fielder’s choice and promptly stole second, then moved to third shortly after. That set up Nick Locurto, who came through with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3–0. Locurto’s presence on the bases continued to be disruptive, as he swiped another bag before the inning came to a close.
Yagesh Goes the Distance (and Then Some)
As the Hokies’ offense slowly built its cushion, Yagesh kept dealing. He worked efficiently into the sixth and seventh innings, navigating scattered baserunners and stranding any potential threats.
In the sixth, Duke put together one of its better opportunities, placing runners on base after a hit-by-pitch and a single. But Yagesh responded with a strikeout to escape the jam — a moment that not only preserved the shutout but also marked the longest outing of his career. By the seventh, he had matched that career mark, continuing to dominate deep into the game.
Insurance Runs Put It Away
Virginia Tech broke things open in the seventh inning without recording a hit early in the frame. A hit-by-pitch, a walk, and another hit batter loaded the bases, setting up Owen Petrich, who drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4–0.
A sacrifice fly followed, pushing the lead to 5–0 and giving the Hokies valuable breathing room. The eighth inning provided the knockout blow.
After an error and a walk put two runners on, the Hokies executed a double steal to move both into scoring position. With two outs, Gates delivered the biggest swing of the night — a two-run single to center field that stretched the lead to 7–0.
Shutout Bid Broken Late
Duke avoided the shutout in the ninth inning when pinch hitter Jeff Lougee launched a solo home run to make it 7–1. But that would be all the offense the Blue Devils could muster. A groundout, strikeout, and flyout quickly followed, sealing the Hokies’ victory.
Final Thoughts
This was a textbook win for Virginia Tech — dominant pitching, opportunistic hitting, and aggressive baserunning.
Yagesh’s performance was the headline, as he not only controlled the game from start to finish but also pushed into career-best territory with his length and efficiency. Offensively, the Hokies capitalized when it mattered most, overcoming an early missed opportunity to build a commanding lead steadily.
For Duke, the late home run was a small bright spot in an otherwise quiet offensive night.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, will look to carry this momentum forward after a well-rounded performance that showcased exactly what they’re capable of when firing on all cylinders.
