Big one in Blacksburg today:

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Big one in Blacksburg today:

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HN caught up with Tim Thomas of the Tech Lunch Pail (@TechLunchPailD) to preview today's game:

Talk a little bit about Tech’s first game against Vandy. What went wrong?

This starts with Tech coming out completely unprepared to play and looking lifeless throughout the first half. They also didn't respond well to an early turnover according to Brent Pry which is unacceptable for a veteran team. The offensive gameplan was also a mess for the Hokies in the first half with no vertical passing to stretch the field. Their talent combined with a better gameplan led them to make a big second half surge and had them in position to win a game they had no business winning but a special teams mistake of two #0 jerseys on the field at the same time led to a field goal that proved crucial in forcing overtime and leading to a loss.

What about the game with Marshall concerns you?

I'll be blunt, not much. Virginia Tech has a clear talent advantage compared to the Thundering Herd and this feels like a classic bounce back spot against a weaker opponent. Tech also has multiple instances of blowout victories the week after bad losses including a blowout of Pittsburgh the week after Marshall's upset last season.

The one thing that does concern me is Virginia Tech's offensive which was subpar last week and could have issues with some of the Herd's defensive line, especially Mike Green. Tech has some serious questions on that unit and if I'm Marshall, I'm matching Green up against Parker Clements early and often.

What things does VA Tech do well that could hurt Marshall?

When Virginia Tech is actually utilizing their receiving talent as they did last week, this is an offense that can make defenses cover every inch of the ld from a variety of power running by Kyron Drones on read options, Bhayshul Tuten getting around the edge, Jaylin Lane being dangerous on screens and underneath passes, a combination of Da'Quan Felton and Ali Jennings stretching the field, and more. Tech has a clear talent advantage that should shine through if the Hokies run the type of offense they ran for the latter two-thirds of last season. Defensively, this team has some high-level stars who can be game-changers including Dorian Strong and Antwaun Powell-Ryland who I expect will be nightmares for Marshall to deal with.

Prediction to how the game will play out with score?

There's a lot of Tech fans who are overreacting to a Week 1 disappointment. I think this is a major bounce-back spot for the Hokies being at home with a lot to prove all over again. The two-touchdown spread was absurd to me and I think the three-touchdown spread is honestly a good bet if you're putting it on Tech. In the end, Virginia Tech wins 41-14 in a major bounce back performance.

HN caught up with Tim Thomas of the Tech Lunch Pail (@TechLunchPailD) to preview today's game:

Talk a little bit about Tech’s first game against Vandy. What went wrong?

This starts with Tech coming out completely unprepared to play and looking lifeless throughout the first half. They also didn't respond well to an early turnover according to Brent Pry which is unacceptable for a veteran team. The offensive gameplan was also a mess for the Hokies in the first half with no vertical passing to stretch the field. Their talent combined with a better gameplan led them to make a big second half surge and had them in position to win a game they had no business winning but a special teams mistake of two #0 jerseys on the field at the same time led to a field goal that proved crucial in forcing overtime and leading to a loss.

What about the game with Marshall concerns you?

I'll be blunt, not much. Virginia Tech has a clear talent advantage compared to the Thundering Herd and this feels like a classic bounce back spot against a weaker opponent. Tech also has multiple instances of blowout victories the week after bad losses including a blowout of Pittsburgh the week after Marshall's upset last season.

The one thing that does concern me is Virginia Tech's offensive which was subpar last week and could have issues with some of the Herd's defensive line, especially Mike Green. Tech has some serious questions on that unit and if I'm Marshall, I'm matching Green up against Parker Clements early and often.

What things does VA Tech do well that could hurt Marshall?

When Virginia Tech is actually utilizing their receiving talent as they did last week, this is an offense that can make defenses cover every inch of the ld from a variety of power running by Kyron Drones on read options, Bhayshul Tuten getting around the edge, Jaylin Lane being dangerous on screens and underneath passes, a combination of Da'Quan Felton and Ali Jennings stretching the field, and more. Tech has a clear talent advantage that should shine through if the Hokies run the type of offense they ran for the latter two-thirds of last season. Defensively, this team has some high-level stars who can be game-changers including Dorian Strong and Antwaun Powell-Ryland who I expect will be nightmares for Marshall to deal with.

Prediction to how the game will play out with score?

There's a lot of Tech fans who are overreacting to a Week 1 disappointment. I think this is a major bounce-back spot for the Hokies being at home with a lot to prove all over again. The two-touchdown spread was absurd to me and I think the three-touchdown spread is honestly a good bet if you're putting it on Tech. In the end, Virginia Tech wins 41-14 in a major bounce back performance.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Baseball Head Coach Greg Beals announced the addition of 12 new members for the 2024-25 roster on Friday, bringing the total newcomers to 25 after announcing 13 freshmen in November. The 12 new additions to the roster are six student-athletes out of the transfer portal (Blaine Albright, Tim Baird, Fenix DiGiacomo, Jackson Halter, Maika Niu, Nolan Wilson). five Junior College prospects (Brandon Brunette, Jack DeDonato, Joel Gardner, Tyler Kamerer, Luke Proehl) and one freshman (Patrick Mazur).



”I am very excited about this group as a whole,” Beals said. “Under the direction of our recruiting coordinator, Tim Donnelly, we have met the needs of the program and brought to Marshall University a group that will drive us in a direction of excellence both on and off the field. As you may know, we had a very large senior class last year. Taking care of last year’s senior class also provided us with this opportunity to bring in a large recruiting class. This recruiting class is our first full class, recruited with the reality of Jack Cook Field and The Alex Lawrence Clubhouse, the first-class facilities that we now call home.”



Blaine Albright

“A physical left-handed pitcher that I have recruited before. Blaine comes to us from Indiana University, he brings physicality and pitch ability to our pitching staff. I look forward to seeing his player development.”



Tim Baird

“We scored Tim in the transfer portal from Ohio State. Tim and I have spent time together before and I am excited that he is healthy, and we have this opportunity to chase the high ceiling that we know is in there.”



Brandon Brunette

“Brandon is a very tall RHP who brings very unique qualities to our program. I believe that we are just now tapping into his big future. His angle and repertoire differentiate him and greatly complement our pitching staff.”



Jack DeDonato

“Jack is a physical, left-handed pitcher with a history of success. We greatly need to create more right–left balance on our pitching staff, we get that and more with Jack.”



Fenix DiGiacomo

“Fenix is a proven weekend rotation pitcher. He comes to us from Presbyterian College. I am excited for him to learn and grow in our program while he obviously provides experience and dependability to our pitching staff.”



Joel Gardner

“Joel is a local guy, and I want to win the recruiting battles in our backyard. He brings a left-handed bat, and a high-end, hand-eye skill set that I enjoy coaching.”



Jackson Halter

“Jackson is a player’s player. A no non-sense competitor that brings it every day. His left-handed bat and athleticism in the outfield will make an immediate impact in our line-up and program.”



Tyler Kamerer

“Tyler is a throw-back – he brings a work ethic and toughness that is hard to find. His ability to defend and compete will make an immediate impact”



Patrick Mazur

“Patrick is very athletic with high-end potential. His player development is going to be a fun process.”



Maika Niu

“Maika is an elite athlete who moves at high end speed. Increasing his consistency is the next level of his player development. His skill set will make an immediate impact.”



Luke Proehl

“Like is right-handed pitcher with swing and miss stuff. Coming off a great junior college season, we are excited to see the impact he can make to our pitching staff. He has the potential to be a difference maker.”



Nolan Wilson

“With the departure of Owen Ayers, the catching position was very critical to us. Throughout the recruiting process, Nolan clearly became our number one prospect. A proven hitter, Nolan is going to complement our program while he grows and prospers is our culture.”

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Baseball Head Coach Greg Beals announced the addition of 12 new members for the 2024-25 roster on Friday, bringing the total newcomers to 25 after announcing 13 freshmen in November. The 12 new additions to the roster are six student-athletes out of the transfer portal (Blaine Albright, Tim Baird, Fenix DiGiacomo, Jackson Halter, Maika Niu, Nolan Wilson). five Junior College prospects (Brandon Brunette, Jack DeDonato, Joel Gardner, Tyler Kamerer, Luke Proehl) and one freshman (Patrick Mazur).



”I am very excited about this group as a whole,” Beals said. “Under the direction of our recruiting coordinator, Tim Donnelly, we have met the needs of the program and brought to Marshall University a group that will drive us in a direction of excellence both on and off the field. As you may know, we had a very large senior class last year. Taking care of last year’s senior class also provided us with this opportunity to bring in a large recruiting class. This recruiting class is our first full class, recruited with the reality of Jack Cook Field and The Alex Lawrence Clubhouse, the first-class facilities that we now call home.”



Blaine Albright

“A physical left-handed pitcher that I have recruited before. Blaine comes to us from Indiana University, he brings physicality and pitch ability to our pitching staff. I look forward to seeing his player development.”



Tim Baird

“We scored Tim in the transfer portal from Ohio State. Tim and I have spent time together before and I am excited that he is healthy, and we have this opportunity to chase the high ceiling that we know is in there.”



Brandon Brunette

“Brandon is a very tall RHP who brings very unique qualities to our program. I believe that we are just now tapping into his big future. His angle and repertoire differentiate him and greatly complement our pitching staff.”



Jack DeDonato

“Jack is a physical, left-handed pitcher with a history of success. We greatly need to create more right–left balance on our pitching staff, we get that and more with Jack.”



Fenix DiGiacomo

“Fenix is a proven weekend rotation pitcher. He comes to us from Presbyterian College. I am excited for him to learn and grow in our program while he obviously provides experience and dependability to our pitching staff.”



Joel Gardner

“Joel is a local guy, and I want to win the recruiting battles in our backyard. He brings a left-handed bat, and a high-end, hand-eye skill set that I enjoy coaching.”



Jackson Halter

“Jackson is a player’s player. A no non-sense competitor that brings it every day. His left-handed bat and athleticism in the outfield will make an immediate impact in our line-up and program.”



Tyler Kamerer

“Tyler is a throw-back – he brings a work ethic and toughness that is hard to find. His ability to defend and compete will make an immediate impact”



Patrick Mazur

“Patrick is very athletic with high-end potential. His player development is going to be a fun process.”



Maika Niu

“Maika is an elite athlete who moves at high end speed. Increasing his consistency is the next level of his player development. His skill set will make an immediate impact.”



Luke Proehl

“Like is right-handed pitcher with swing and miss stuff. Coming off a great junior college season, we are excited to see the impact he can make to our pitching staff. He has the potential to be a difference maker.”



Nolan Wilson

“With the departure of Owen Ayers, the catching position was very critical to us. Throughout the recruiting process, Nolan clearly became our number one prospect. A proven hitter, Nolan is going to complement our program while he grows and prospers is our culture.”