A smile and pure joy radiated from Sam Tackett while he slammed Virginia Tech’s home run hammer as a collegiate baseball player Tuesday evening. The sophomore — who has seemingly come out of nowhere after taking on a versatile platoon role — exchanged high-fives with his teammates before sharing hugs with others after hitting a home run that cleared the wall by a mile.
Before Tackett crossed home plate, he watched where the baseball flew out of the ballpark, shared a celebration with the home dugout as he rounded third and took off his helmet before bumping it with Conor Hartigan.
Tackett, a utility infielder that’s seen time at third, second and first base this season, couldn’t stop smiling through it all.
He didn’t see any action last season after committing to VT as the ninth-best recruit from Kentucky in the 2020 class, according to Perfect Game. He’s hit the baseball hard all season, and carries a .292 batting average in 24 at-bats to show for it.
The pitch he saw, an 85-mph change-up that Radford’s Gene McGough hung belt-high, a mistake that Tackett normally hunts, was smashed 413 feet into the construction zone just beyond the left field wall. It was a solo home run in the second inning that tied the game at two apiece and ignited Tech’s 10-3 blowout win over the Highlanders, extending its winning streak to three games.
It was a bomb to the pull side, right-on-right power that’s been on display for all 19 games of Virginia Tech’s (13-6, 2-4 ACC) season thus far. Entering Tuesday, VT was tied for third place in college baseball in home runs with 41.
Only, it was the baseball off of Tackett’s bat that made the moment notable. It was an instant glimpse at the remarkable potential that the entire lineup has, now Tech just has to put it all together on a consistent basis.
“It was amazing,” Tackett said with a grin after Tech’s win. “I got to slam the hammer. It was just really cool.”
Tackett has played in 17 of VT’s games this season with eight starts — seven of which have come in non-conference play — but after hitting .306 and boasting a .445 on-base-percentage in the Valley League over the summer, head coach John Szefc was left with no choice but to play him. And Tackett has delivered on those results so far.
He later fouled out with the bases-loaded and picked up another RBI on a sacrifice fly to deep left field before he was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning, finishing the night 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Tanner Schobel added two RBIs — one coming on a ground-rule double — Gavin Cross knocked in a run on his fourth triple of the season, while Jack Hurley (18 games), Cade Hunter (nine) and Carson DeMartini (six) all extended their hit streaks.
The offensive outburst was in support of Ryan Kennedy, who bounced back after surrendering two walk-offs to then-No. 13 Georgia Tech two weeks ago.
He relieved Jackson Ritchey (two earned runs) to begin the second inning and didn’t allow a run in his four innings of work. The left-hander only yielded four hits and a walk while striking out three on 48 pitches (37 strikes).
“Usually you’re not gonna beat [Kennedy] with ‘free-bies,’ he’s not gonna give you a whole lot of walks,” Szefc said. “He’s gonna make you swing the bat. He came into a game in which we were losing 2-1, stabilized it and gave our offense enough time to grind through some runs.”
Three relievers would combine to finish the job, including right-hander Christian Worley (scoreless sixth inning), southpaw Jonah Hurney (shutout seventh and eighth innings) and Jordan Geber (one-run ninth inning).
Geber, a graduate transfer from Mount St. Mary’s, has had limited opportunities to pitch this season (four appearances). He’s continuing to transition from the starting role he had at St. Mary’s to a bullpen role at Tech.
“[Geber] is gonna be a major factor for us down the stretch, we’re just trying to get him to get him some experience,” Szefc said. “But as a grad transfer, if he can pitch with the velocity, he’s gonna be pretty good.”
As for Tackett, his home run might’ve been overshadowed by some of the bigger names such as Cross, Schobel and Hurley, but his hard work doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the team, nor his head coach.
“He’s our hardest worker,” Szefc said of Tackett. “He’s the first guy in the room, last guy out. I’m just thrilled for him.”
Tuesday marked a coming out party of sorts for Tackett. His first home run, his first trot around the bases, his first home run hammer slam — one that should be the first of many.
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It’s 2022. Things are different now. Let the kids have fun.
+1
. Let the kids have fun.>>>>
At the expense of the other team??? Let’s see. Did football do away with on field celebrations? What would happen if this was done at the professional level? It’s not that much of a big deal – but it shows that our baseball team is a bunch of Hokeys – unfortunately.
Love your commentary, Chris. I suppose the team’s hammer show off is to re-inforce that they are the hammerin’ Hokies. Unfortunately it’s coming off as the Virginia Tech Hokeys. Time to give up our version of Miami’s Take Away Chain. I can understand there is some fun to be had at the opponents expense. But – baseball is one of the few sports that somewhat retains its traditional values. You might slip this into the suggestion box.
And – in case you’re wondering. I did play baseball – at Virginia Tech – 1965-67 and was co-Captain in ’67. Note: I did hit one home run. 🙂
Right there with you Hokie67. I was a few years behind you (ok, quite a few…) and never hit a home run (but I did surrender a few on the mound). I know it’s a different game and a different generation, but the first time someone did that stunt back when I played, you can guarantee the next guy was getting one square in the back.
Xhurler – and you probably didn’t need a mouthy second baseman telling you what to do. 🙂
In any case – sportsmanship – like manners – never grow old or go out of style.
There’s nothing unsportsmanlike about celebrating with your teammates at your own dugout. The hammer helps everyone get excited about a great play. I’d hazard to guess that it helps keep the energy up after the 42 HR in 20 games..
There’s nothing unsportsmanlike about celebrating with your teammates at your own dugout.>>>>
It’s on the playing field!!! And guess what? Plays actually do happen in foul territory. 🙂 If it were IN the dugout – no problem. If a team can’t keep it’s energy up after 20 games… Really?
BTW – glad you’re not teaching my grand kids sportsmanship.