Radford, Virginia Tech Set for Midweek Rematch in Blacksburg

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — In-state foes Radford and Virginia Tech will meet for the second time this season Tuesday evening at English Field, with the Hokies looking for a regular-season sweep.

The nonconference matchup pits two teams seeking momentum. The visiting Radford Highlanders enter at .500 (16-16), while the Virginia Tech Hokies (16-18) aim to get back to .500 themselves.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature near 71 degrees.

Virginia Tech won the first meeting 13-5 in Radford on March 31. Since that game, the Hokies are 4-7, including dropping two of three at Boston College over the weekend. Radford has gone 5-5 in that same span, coming off a series loss at High Point.

A key player to watch for Radford is reliever Corey Costello. The right-hander has been excellent lately, not allowing an earned run in five of his last six appearances. That stretch includes three scoreless innings with three strikeouts at High Point on Sunday. However, he allowed one run in an inning against the Hokies in March.

Virginia Tech will counter with a pitcher looking to bounce back in Aiden Robertson. The right-hander struggled in his last outing against the Hokies’ commonwealth rival, allowing three earned runs without recording an out at Radford on March 31. He followed that with a strong five-inning, five-strikeout relief performance at Boston College on April 12.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects to be a tight one, with a predicted final score of Radford 5, Virginia Tech 4.

Both teams open conference series at home this Friday. Radford hosts Gardner-Webb, while Virginia Tech begins an ACC set with Pittsburgh.