Virginia Tech baseball comes from behind to beat Boston College, win series

The Boston College Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first three innings off Virginia Tech starting pitcher Shane Connolly on Saturday at English Field.

It appeared BC was well on its way to taking the three-game series from the Hokies until Virginia Tech right fielder Gavin Cross hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Boston College lead to 3-2.

The Hokies weren’t done as first baseman TJ Rumfield followed Cross’s home run with a solo shot to left-center to tie the game at 3. Tech’s lineup had finally gotten to Boston College starting pitcher Alex Stiegler.

After Connolly departed the game in the fifth inning, the Hokies’ bullpen went to work. Three Virginia Tech relievers combined to pitch five innings, allowing just two hits and zero runs.

This opened the door for more heroics from Tech’s lineup.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, third baseman Kevin Madden reached base and advanced on a stolen base. Left fielder Tanner Thomas grounded out on a fielder’s choice, allowing Madden to score on what would be the game-winning run as the Hokies won, 4-3.

The win moved Virginia Tech to 15-9 on the season, including an 11-7 mark in ACC play.

Virginia Tech returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Johnson City to face East Tennessee State. The Hokies leave Tennessee immediately and head back to Blacksburg. Tech is back on the road next Friday when it travels to Winston-Salem for a three-game series with Wake Forest.