Hokies' Ballard stymies Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Redshirt junior Rhett Ballard (High Point, N.C.) tossed Virginia Tech's first complete game in just his second start of the season to lead the Hokies past Wake Forest 7-3 on Friday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. <br /> <br /> After making his first start last Friday in the win over Maryland, the 6-foot-5 submariner went the distance for the first time of his career and also struck out a career-best and Tech season-high nine Demon Deacons. He scattered eight hits and two walks to improve to 2-3 on the year and bumped the Hokies to 14-20 overall and 2-14 in the ACC. <br /> <br /> Garrett Bullock (3-3) took the loss for Wake Forest (12-20, 5-10 ACC) after allowing five runs on 11 hits and striking out six. <br /> <br /> Ballard's 132-pitch effort helped Tech overcome four errors in the field, as did some impressive performances at the dish by the Hokie offense. Catcher Anthony Sosnoskie (Front Royal, Va.) tied a career best with four RBI on a double and his team-leading fifth home run, while center fielder Sean Ryan (Ashburn, Va.) set a career high with four hits - all singles. Freshman shortstop Austin Wates (Richmond, Va.) tallied two doubles and a single for his sixth three-hit game of the season. The Hokies tied a season best with six doubles.

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