Over the next few weeks we'll count down the Top 10 moments in Virginia Tech sports in the 2010-11 sports season. Only one moment per sport is eligible for the countdown, otherwise this would just be seven or eight football moments and then it might as well have just been the football Top 10 and done in January. And since I was too lazy to do that and there isn't anything going on during the summer we're doing this. Hope you enjoy.
No. 8 - Women's Lacrosse Holds on for Upset
No. 9 - Men's Tennis Beats No. 20 Louisville
No. 10 - Softball Wins at Florida State
There wasn't a lot to celebrate from Virginia Tech's baseball season in 2011. Coming off its first NCAA tournament appearance in about a decade, the Hokies were without much of the talent that helped them win 40 games in 2010. While the Hokies failed to make the ACC tournament this past season, one bright spot was the break-out season for Andrew Rash. Or, as he's known on The Twitter, Mr. Utility.
Rash saw a lot of playing time as a freshman in 2010, but emerged as a full-time starter in 2011. His batting averaged dipped slightly from last season, but erupted for an ACC-high 18 home runs in 51 games. The next most in the league was 13. His astronomical .707 slugging percentage was 111 points higher than second-best SLG in the conference.
A draft-eligible sophomore, Rash was taken in the 36th round of the MLB Draft by the Padres. Should he choose to return to Blacksburg, he'll be a key cog in a team that will again have to rebuild with a new infield. Fortunately for the Hokies, they'll return two of three weekend starters from a team that won 10 of their last 18 conference games after losing 11 of their first 12.
Other Highlights from the Baseball Season:
- Hokies beat ranked FSU, Clemson and Georgia Tech.
- Hokies sweep Maryland.
- Joe Parsons throws CGSO vs. Duke.