Virginia Tech’s relief pitching faltered, leading to a 1-2 series loss to Duke as they dropped Game 3. This marked the second instance this season where the bullpen struggled significantly, costing the Hokies a substantial lead against their opponent. The Hokies fell 10-13 to Duke in Game 3 after surrendering a five-run lead in the 7th inning.
In the game, starting pitcher Griffin Stieg held a solid performance for six innings, containing Duke’s offense effectively. However, managerial decisions saw him replaced by Brady Kirtner in the 6th inning, and subsequent pitching changes didn’t fare well for the Hokies. The bullpen couldn’t halt Duke’s scoring momentum, resulting in a challenging loss.
The Hokie offense, despite some sporadic success and fortuitous moments, couldn’t capitalize enough to counter Duke’s offensive output. The game saw multiple pitching changes on both sides, with Duke’s strategy of using a pitching committee proving more effective than Tech’s approach.
Reflecting on the game, it’s clear that Duke’s pitching depth and strategy outmatched Virginia Tech’s bullpen performance. The Hokies will face George Mason next, hoping for better luck and a stronger pitching performance to bounce back from the series loss to Duke.
