Picard Ks 12 as Bryant defeats No. 14 Virginia Tech, 7-3

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Coleman Picard struck out 12 over 5.0 innings of one-run ball as the Bryant University baseball team defeated No. 14 Virginia Tech, 7-3, in the series opener on Friday afternoon at English Field.

The Bulldogs picked up their first win of the season and now have four wins against nationally-ranked opponents in the last two years. Bryant is 7-7 all-time against the Hokies.

Making just his second career start, Picard turned in a masterpiece for the Black and Gold. He struck out the side in three of his five innings and allowed just one run on three hits and walked one. Picard struck out 18 batters in 26.2 innings last season but has already struck out 17 in 10.0 innings this season.

Offensively, Jake Gustin collected three hits, while Jackson Phinney provided an early jolt with a long two-run home run in the second. James Myler added a two-run double and reached base three times with a pair of walks.  

Game Information
Bryant 7, No. 14 Virginia Tech 3
Records: Bryant 1-3 | No. 14 Virginia Tech 3
Location: English Field (Blacksburg, Va.)
W|L|S: Coleman Picard (1-0) | Griffin Green

Key Moment

• Bryant posted a pair of first-inning runs but the Hokies put runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the first. Picard buckled down, striking out the next three batters to keep Virginia Tech off the board.             

How it Happened

• A walk and a hit by pitch put the first two Bulldogs on and Gustin followed with an opposite-field single to make it 1-0. Carmine Petosa brought home the second run with an RBI ground out.
• The Hokies tried to answer, putting runners on second and third in the bottom of the first. Picard struck out the 3-4-5 hitters to end the threat.
• In the second, Myler drew a leadoff walk and Phinney followed with a monstrous two-run home run to left center. The home run came on an 0-2 breaking ball.
• The Hokies got a run back in the second as Martin doubled home a run.
• Picard ended his stellar afternoon by striking out the side in the fourth and ending the fifth with a swinging strikeout.
• The Black and Gold extended their lead in the sixth as Myler laced a first-pitch fastball off the top of the right field wall. Gustin scored easily, while Brian Schaub raced around from first and scored as the ball came loose on the tag at the plate.
• Virginia Tech would get a run back but Bryant answered again as Gavin Noriega doubled into the right field corner to score Caden Dulin.
• Chase Jeter and Brett Wichrowski each tossed 2.0 innings of relief to close the game out. Wichrowski struck out three over 2.0 scoreless.

Stats and Game Notes

• Bryant picked up its fourth win over a ranked opponent in the last two years. The Bulldogs swept a three-game set from No. 12 East Carolina last year.
• Bryant is now 7-7 all-time against Virginia Tech.
• Picard struck out a career-high 12 batters in 5.0 innings. He struck out the side in three of his five innings.
• Picard now has 17 strikeouts in 10.0 innings this season.
• Jeter allowed two runs over 2.0 innings of relief.
• Wichrowski struck out three over 2.0 scoreless innings.
• Gustin finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Myler went 1-2 with a double, two RBI and two walks.
• Phinney homered and drove in two.
• Phinney now has nine home runs in his Bryant career.

Up Next
Bryant and Virginia Tech continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch has been pushed back to 4:00 p.m.