Hanvey rips first ETSU homer of the season

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Feb. 21, 2023) – ETSU baseball faced a challenging opponent for its first midweek challenge of the season, dropping a 15-5 decision to No. 14 Virginia Tech at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park on Tuesday.

ETSU falls to 2-2 on the season, while the 14th-ranked Hokies — coming off an NCAA Super Regional Appearance last season — improve to 3-1 in their home opener.  

The Bucs managed five runs on eight hits in the set-back, including the team’s first home run of the season off the bat of junior infielder Justin Hanvey (Purcellville, Va.). Hanvey — playing in his home state — pinch hit for Ryan Enos (Oriskany, N.Y.) in the eighth and hit a two-out solo shot to left-center field.

Redshirt junior catcher Noah Webb (Kodak, Tenn.) led the way with two hits for ETSU, while Hanvey joined five others with one hit. As a team, ETSU had four doubles, including one from freshman Cody Miller (Rocky Point, N.Y.). In the eighth inning, Miller swung at the first collegiate pitch he saw and lined it down the left field line for an RBI double and his first collegiate hit.

Miller and Hanvey were joined by Tommy Barth (Brecksville, Ohio), Garett Wallace (Sanford, Fla.) and Cameron Sisneros (Littleton, Colo.) with RBI hits, while Noah Gent (Corryton, Tenn.) joined Miller, Barth and Webb with doubles today.

On the mound, ETSU combined for 11 strikeouts, including four each from senior Colby Stuart (Elon, N.C.) and junior transfer Nathan Hickman (Lenoir City, Tenn.), two from starter Landon Smiddy (Knoxville, Tenn.) and one from grad transfer Leif Bigelow (Brattleboro, Ver.).

PITCHERS OF RECORD 

Win – Kiernan Higgins (1-0)

Loss – Landon Smiddy (1-1)

Save – N/A

NEXT GAME

ETSU will head to Statesboro, Ga. this weekend to take on another team that hosted a 2022 NCAA Regional — Georgia Southern — in a three-game series. Friday’s opener is set for 6:30 p.m. 

For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball tab.