Score: VCU 10, #18 Virginia Tech 7
Location: Blacksburg, Va. (English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park)
Records: VCU 6-6, Virginia Tech 8-3
 
The short story: Freshman third baseman Tyler Locklear led a 13-hit attack with a 3-for-5 day and drove in a pair of runs to lead VCU past 18^th-ranked Virginia Tech Wednesday.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Locklear, who had homered in four straight games prior to Wednesday, had to settle for two singles and a triple. He also stole a base and scored twice
• Junior first baseman Steven Carpenter doubled and finished his day 2-for-6 for the Black and Gold, while junior catcher Hunter Vay was 2-of-5 with two RBIs
• Senior second baseman Andrew Puglielli went 3-for-5 at the plate for the Rams
• VCU junior designated hitter Liam Hibbits drew three walks

 
THE DIFFERENCE

• The Rams recorded 13 hits in the game, including five for extra bases
• VCU got on the board in the second when a wild pitch and a passed ball plated sophomore right fielder Logan Amiss and Puglielli, respectively. Locklear followed two batters later with a one-out triple to right center to score freshman Devan Barnett and give VCU a 3-1 lead it would not relinquish
• The Hokies scratched back within 3-2, but VCU extended its lead in the top half of the fourth, again with the aid of a passed ball and a wild pitch. With two runs already home in the inning, Vay legged out an infield single to score senior centerfielder Hogan Brown and give the Rams a 6-2 edge
• Vay added a run-scoring single in the sixth, and Carpenter ripped an RBI double in the seventh as VCU eventually built a 10-5 cushion
• Virginia Tech pitching was hurt by a pair of wild pitches and passed balls that led directly to VCU runs. The Hokies also walked six and hit two batters

NOTABLE

• Locklear has recorded five straight multi-hit games and has driven in 15 runs over that span
• VCU's No. 2 and 3 hitters, Locklear and Hibbits, have combined for eight homers and 30 RBIs this season
• VCU has scored 10 or more runs five times in the past six games. The Rams scored nine runs Tuesday against the Hokies

NEXT UP
VCU will return to The Diamond for a three-game set with Towson. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Game Saturday and Sunday are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. All three games will air on ESPN+.