April 20, 2012
Hokies lose first in Wake Forest series
Andrew Rash has a pair of hits and drives in one
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Virginia Tech (26-14) 001000000150
Wake Forest (24-15) 20003000X580
  • WF Baseball Park - 864

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Virginia Tech opened its ACC series at Wake Forest with a 5-1 defeat Friday night at WF Baseball Park.

Andrew Rash was the only Hokie with at least two hits and drove in the team’s only run. Ronnie Shaban, with two walks, and Gabe Ortiz, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, were both on base twice but Brendon Hayden scored the team’s lone run. Mark Zagunis extended his reached base streak to 32 straight with a single in the eighth.

Wake Forest (24-15, 8-11 ACC) opened the scoring in the first inning with Pat Blair singling to lead off the frame and moving to second on a sacrifice by Conor Keniry. Mac Williamson, the ACC’s leader in home runs, followed with his 12th of the season to put the Demon Deacons up 2-0.

The Hokies (26-14, 7-12 ACC) cut their deficit in half with a single run in the top of the third. Hayden singled to lead off the inning and then moved to second on Alex Perez’ sacrifice. Ortiz was hit by a pitch and Rash singled to left to plate Hayden to make it 2-1.

The Demon Deacons added three runs to their lead in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead. Keniry doubled home Blair for the first run and scored on a bases loaded fielder’s choice by Mark Rhine. Then, Williamson scored his second run of the game on a Brett Armour single.

That was all Demon Deacon starter Tim Cooney (5-3) would need as he picked up the win on the mound after throwing eight innings and scattering four hits and four walks. He struck out eight Hokies and stranded seven base runners. Joe Mantiply suffered the loss and his record drops to 4-4.

Due to the weather expected in the area on Sunday, the teams will look to finish the ACC series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Baseball).

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