Virginia Tech Beats James Madison in a Well-Played Rivalry Game, 5-4
Virginia Tech and James Madison squared off on the baseball field today in a rivalry game. Virginia Tech won the close affair 5-4. James Madison scored two runs in the seventh inning to draw within one.
Virginia Tech and James Madison are rivals. So, this game meant a lot to both teams and was a close-fought affair. James Madison dropped this rivalry game. Do you think teams fight harder in rivalry games?
Virginia Tech and James Madison Scoring Summary
Perhaps the best way to understand this game is to consider the scoring summary. Virginia Tech jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as the third baseman Petrich tripled and the second baseman Ball singled. Both hits scored runs, and the Hokies took an early 2-0 lead.
Virginia Tech added to its lead in the third inning when it scored two more runs to extend its lead to 4-0. Ball singled again and drove in another run. Then the Catcher Cooke singled and the Hokies led 4-0.
James Madison scored runs in the third and the fourth innings to make the score 4-2. In the third inning, the third baseman Guerraro singled for the first James Madison run. Then, in the fourth inning, there was a wild pitch and Seguin scored.
Virginia Tech got one more run in the top of the sixth inning when the shortstop Daniel hit a home run. James Madison scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but that Daniel home run proved to be the game-winner. Both the left fielder Langely and the shortstop Seguin singled, and the score was 5-4.
That proved to be the final score of the game. Though it is worth pointing out that James Madison put runners on second and third base in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, they were unable to score either of these baserunners, no matter how exciting these baserunners were.
Player of the Game
The Virginia Tech freshman Ethan Ball was the player of the game. He drove in two runs, walked, and was 2-4. He was a thorn in the side of James Madison. Both of the runs he drove in were by single. It should be mentioned that for James Madison the shortstop, a junior, Josiah Seguin was 1-2 with two walks and one run batted in. At this early point in the season he is batting .500 in twenty-two at bats.
Turning Point of the Game
The turning point of the game, however, was Pete Daniel’s home run in the sixth inning. That run proved to be the game-winner, and so was the turning point of the game. James Madison came close to tying, or winning the game in the bottom of the ninth inning as they had the tying run on third base and the winning run on second base. Unfortunately, they were not able to drive in either of these runs. If they did, that would have easily been the turning point of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virginia Tech beat James Madison 5-4 in a rivalry game today. Hokie freshman second baseman Ethan Ball was the player of the game. He was 2 for 4 and had two runs batted in. The turning point of this game, however, was Pete Daniel’s home run in the sixth inning. That home run gave the Hokies 5 runs, which proved to be enough to win the game. It was the winning run.
Parting Shots
With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 6-1 overall and plays against William and Mary at home on Friday. James Madison is now 3 and 4. James Madison plays on Friday as well, in South Carolina against the College of Charleston.
