Virginia Tech Baseball Notches 16 Strikeouts, Take Season Opener 9-2 over William and Mary

The Hokies scored nine runs over a five-inning span to take down the Tribe at home.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Virginia Tech's pitching unit collected 16 strikeouts spread across three different arms in its 9-2 victory over William and Mary. 2025 All-ACC Third Team starting pitcher, Brent Renfrow, opened the game with a two strikeout opening frame for the Hokies. Junior Charlie Iriotakis and designated hitter Liam O'Neil of William and Mary each recorded hits, with O'Neil hitting a 345-foot home run in the second inning. Junior Virginia native Preston Crowl then entered and tossed five scoreless frames, striking out a career-high seven batters. The Hokies' offense exploded in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring seven runs, including a 412-foot solo home run by Anderson French.

Why it matters

This season-opening victory for Virginia Tech baseball sets the tone for what could be a promising year for the Hokies. The team's strong pitching performance, led by Renfrow and Crowl, combined with a breakout offensive showing, suggests the Hokies have the talent to compete at a high level in the ACC this season.

The details

Virginia Tech's pitching staff combined for 16 strikeouts, with Renfrow, Crowl, and Chase Swift all contributing to the dominant performance on the mound. Crowl, in particular, had a career-high seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings of relief. The Hokies' offense came alive in the middle innings, scoring seven runs to take control of the game. Key hits included a double by Sam Grube, who finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs, and a 412-foot solo home run by Anderson French.

  • The game was played on February 13, 2026.
  • Virginia Tech and William and Mary will play a doubleheader on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

The players

John Szefc

The head coach of the Virginia Tech baseball team.

Brent Renfrow

The 2025 All-ACC Third Team starting pitcher for Virginia Tech who opened the game with two strikeouts.

Charlie Iriotakis

The junior left fielder for William and Mary who recorded a single in the second inning.

Liam O'Neil

The designated hitter for William and Mary who hit a 345-foot home run in the second inning.

Preston Crowl

The junior Virginia native who entered in relief for Virginia Tech and tossed five scoreless frames, striking out a career-high seven batters.

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What they’re saying

“They just stayed ahead. That's probably the most impressive thing is how well they located and how they stayed out of plus counts.”

— John Szefc, Virginia Tech head coach (si.com)

“A guy hits a routine fly ball and it goes out. That's kind of the way this park plays sometimes.”

— John Szefc, Virginia Tech head coach (si.com)

“I thought it was really good today. I was a little shaky at times, [at] like getting ahead of hitters, but I did a good job working back, not letting it spiral into a lot of 2 ball, 3 ball counts.”

— Preston Crowl (si.com)

“Just the same approach I've had my whole baseball career. Up the middle, backside; if I can stay there, I feel like I'm pretty accessible.”

— Sam Grube (si.com)

“We've got a great scouting plan from it, we got the wristwatch now. I was looking for that pitch in the zone, so it was a great swing.”

— Anderson French (si.com)

What’s next

Virginia Tech and William and Mary will play a doubleheader on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

Virginia Tech's dominant pitching performance, combined with a breakout offensive showing, suggests the Hokies have the talent to compete at a high level in the ACC this season. The team's ability to overcome an early deficit and pull away with a decisive 9-2 victory over William and Mary is an encouraging sign for the program's future success.