ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a series defined by lopsided defeats, Virginia Tech found resilience and redemption Sunday afternoon and evening at Russ Chandler Stadium. The Hokies, battered by a combined 30-5 score in the first two games of their Atlantic Coast Conference series, rallied to avoid a sweep by defeating Georgia Tech 9-6.

The most important part of the game arrived in the late innings with Virginia Tech clinging to a one-run lead. After the Yellow Jackets had stormed back from an early 5-0 deficit to make it 6-5, the Hokies responded with a decisive three-run rally in the top of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Chris Hughes grounded out to bring in a run. Then, Sam Grube delivered the critical blow, a two-run double down the right field line to extend the lead to 9-6. That hit provided crucial insurance and ultimately decided the contest.

Virginia Tech (8-7, 1-2 ACC) seized immediate control, scoring twice in the first inning without a hit, using a hit-by-pitch, a walk, a bunt single and two sacrifice flies. They added a single run in the fourth before Georgia Tech’s offense awakened.

The Yellow Jackets (12-2, 2-1) chipped away, powered by the long ball. Ryan Zuckerman launched a two-run homer in the second inning and Vahn Lackey added a solo shot in the fourth. A two-run fifth inning, highlighted by run-scoring singles from Carson Burress and Drew Hernandez, brought Georgia Tech within a run at 6-5 and chased Hokies starter Griffin Stieg.

Stieg’s final line was unorthodox, as he allowed four earned runs over four innings but did not surrender a hit, issuing six walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out five.

The Hokies’ answer in the seventh was followed by a dominant relief performance that sealed the win. Preston Crowl, named the top star for Virginia Tech, entered with two on and none out in the seventh and was flawless. He retired all nine batters he faced over the final three innings, striking out four, to earn the save. This outing was a stark turnaround for Crowl, who had struggled in three brief appearances earlier in the season, allowing six earned runs while recording just three outs.

Grube led the Hokies’ 14-hit attack, going 3 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Ethan Ball added two RBIs on a key double during Virginia Tech’s two-run sixth inning.

For Georgia Tech, Zuckerman finished 2 for 3 with the two-run homer, two walks and two RBIs. Kayden Campbell provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, striking out four over two perfect innings late in the game.

The victory defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-4 Georgia Tech win, and its ELO system gave the Yellow Jackets a 61.6% probability of victory.

Virginia Tech next travels to face Virginia in a three-game conference series starting Friday. Georgia Tech hosts W Georgia on Tuesday before visiting Clemson for a Thursday-Saturday ACC set.