Tech, Virginia earn right to host NCAA baseball regionals 

The Virginia Tech baseball team might not have won the ACC championship trophy Sunday, but it did get something else it coveted.

Tech was named one of the 16 regional host sites for the NCAA tournament Sunday night. This is the first time Tech (38-20) has been chosen to host a regional.

“It’s another big step in our program. … This is a big one, when you’re respected nationally to be a host site,” coach Pete Hughes said. “I was a little nervous [before the announcement]. We just haven’t been there enough to get that respect. Our resume was definitely good enough.

“It is an unbelievable advantage for your program to host.”

Virginia (47-10) was awarded a regional for the fourth straight year.

The news also meant that Tech and UVa did not have to wait until today’s NCAA tournament selection show to reap their at-large NCAA bids. This is Tech’s first bid since 2010. It is UVa’s 10th straight bid.

The other host schools are North Carolina, Florida State, N.C. State, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Indiana, Louisville, Kansas State and Cal State Fullerton.

The rest of the 64-team field will be announced at noon today on ESPNU and ESPN3.com. The eight national seeds also will be announced during that show.

The Hokies entered the ACC tournament ranked No. 15 in the NCAA’s RPI and enhanced their resume by going 3-1 in the tournament.

Tech’s regional will begin Friday. The Hokies will add about 1,000 temporary seats to English Field.

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