The Charlotte 49ers baseball team (10-5) was shut down on Tuesday night by the Virginia Tech Hokies (13-4) in a 6-1 defeat at Robert and Miriam Hayes Stadium. The 49ers are currently on a three game losing streak after dropping the final two games against Kent State this past weekend.
The Hokies received a dominant pitching performance from righty starter Tanner McIntyre (2-0). McIntyre tossed six shutout innings, while allowing only two hits and three walks on the night.
Virginia Tech jumped out to a hot start offensively, scoring five of their six runs in just the first two innings. The Hokies received a pair of home runs in the opening frame. One a solo shot from first baseman Sean Keselica, and the second a two run blast by catcher Mark Zagunis.
The Hokies tacked on two more runs in the second inning thanks to some sloppy play from Charlotte. The 49ers botched an attempt at a double play which resulted in a throw away by first baseman Grant Dunnegan. Then a wild pitch from Charlotte’s starter, Jason Harris (0-1), resulted in a 5-0 Virginia Tech lead.
Harris struggled for the first time on the mound this season after being lights out in his previous two appearances. He came into the game with a staggering ERA of 0.87 but exited with a 4.40 earned run average. Harris lasted just two innings allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits and three walks.
The 49ers were anemic at the plate, only totaling four hits on the night. They tallied their only run in the eighth inning thanks to a throwing error by Hokie shortstop Alex Perez on a groundball from Shane Basen.
After the game Charlotte manager Loren Hibbs commented on the offense saying, “We were really tentative offensively… we’ve got some guys making it too complicated right now. The game’s hard enough without complicating things.”
The lone bright spot for Charlotte offensively was yet again Brad Elwood. Elwood only managed one hit but it did extend his hitting streak to sixteen games overall, including all fifteen games played so far this season.
The 49ers also received a couple solid outings from the bullpen after a rocky start. Reliever Brock Hudgens pitched three innings, allowing just one unearned run while fanning five Virginia Tech batters. Charlotte also got two hitless innings late from Adam Huffman. 49ers pitching recorded ten total strikeouts, matching their season high so far in 2013.
The 49ers return to action at Hayes Stadium this weekend when they host the Siena Saints in a four game series, which includes a double header on Saturday afternoon. First pitch for Friday’s contest is scheduled for 4 p.m.