Virginia Tech baseball is gearing up for a crucial ACC weekend series against the Pitt Panthers, set to begin on **Friday, May 2**. This matchup marks the Hokies’ **ninth ACC series** of the season and carries significant implications for their postseason hopes.
### Virginia Tech’s Season So Far
The Hokies enter the series with an **11-13 conference record**, placing them **11th in the ACC standings** [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Despite recent struggles, Virginia Tech remains on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament berth, thanks to impressive series wins over **Louisville and Wake Forest** earlier in the season [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, a **midweek loss to Liberty (13-4)** has put added pressure on the team to secure a strong showing against Pitt [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### The Challenge Ahead
Pitt has had a tough season in ACC play, holding a **6-15 conference record** and sitting near the bottom of the standings [B](https://fightinggobbler.com/virginia-tech-facing-monumental-series-at-pittsburgh-this-weekend?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvZmlnaHRpbmdnb2JibGVyLmNvbVwvdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1mYWNpbmctbW9udW1lbnRhbC1zZXJpZXMtYXQtcGl0dHNidXJnaC10aGlzLXdlZWtlbmQifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, the Panthers are coming off a dominant **11-0 shutout victory over Akron**, which could give them the confidence boost needed to challenge Virginia Tech [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Virginia Tech has shown resilience throughout the season, often bouncing back from **game one losses** to secure series wins or at least a game two victory [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, a **series sweep** against Pitt could be the convincing ACC win they need to solidify their NCAA Tournament chances concerns for Virginia Tech heading into the series is **pitching depth**. The Hokies **burned through 15 pitchers** during their previous ACC series against Duke and used another **six arms** in their midweek loss to Liberty [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Key Factors for the Hokies
One of the biggest will be crucial.
Despite Pitt having **home-field advantage**, the Panthers hold a **modest 8-7 home record**, while Virginia Tech has. Finding the right arms to carry them through the weekend been strong on the road with an **11-6 away record** [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/other-sports/virginia-tech-baseball-previewing-the-acc-weekend-series-against-pitt-01jt6ge1xjxs?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmY0x5N2tuZHBHSzFzTEtIRk44MWEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoia21ZN2ZORDZVTU1Zd2lWaHpxcHVqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC9vdGhlci1zcG9ydHNcL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXRlY2gtYmFzZWJhbGwtcHJldmlld2luZy10aGUtYWNjLXdlZWtlbmQtc2VyaWVzLWFnYWluc3QtcGl0dC0wMWp0NmdlMXhqeHMifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1)
