ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996 TAG: 9605130083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Josh Herman went 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI as Virginia Tech defeated Temple 4-2 in the first round of the Atlantic 10 baseball tournament Friday in Boyertown, Pa.
The Hokies (34-22) made the most of six hits. Herman, a senior designated hitter from William Byrd High School, broke a scoreless deadlock with a two-run home run in bottom of the fourth. It was Tech's first hit of the game. Herman then had Tech's second hit in the sixth inning to drive in a run and make the score 3-1. Temple (28-22-1) scored an unearned run on a fielder's choice in the top of the seventh to cut it to 3-2 before Tech's Barry Gauch singled, moved to second on an infield single by Chad Foutz (Franklin County) and scored on a single with two outs by second baseman Kris Turberville.
Tech got a record-breaking performance from Brian Fitzgerald (7-5). The starter scattered nine singles, struck out nine and walked one in eight innings. He gave up both runs. His victory was the 28th of his career, a Tech record. His nine strikeouts give him 271 for his career, also a Tech record.
Tech junior reliever Charlie Gillian came on to pitch the ninth inning and retired all three batters for his 13th save, tying a single-season mark.
Tech advances in winner's bracket to play the University of Massachusetts today. Temple will play Xavier.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB