Sports

NCAA Can Punish Virginia Tech Baseball For Cowardice After Bailing On Revenge Game

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iStockphoto / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect


The Virginia Tech baseball team will not face Marshall on Tuesday night. The game has been cancelled as the Hokies make a postseason push.

It continues a trend of abrupt scratches used by NCAA Tournament contenders to preserve their resumes. It could be used against the Hokies, and others that do the same.

Virginia Tech baseball cancelled the rematch.

The Hokies were set to travel to Huntington after hosting the Thundering Herd earlier in the year. Marshall won the initial matchup 13-4. The rematch will no longer be played.

Virginia Tech nixed the matchup. Marshall retains bragging rights.

The cancellation is linked to postseason pursuits. The Hokies are currently 27-22 and 10-10 in ACC play. Their RPI sits at 39th in the nation.

Typically, the top 35-40 schools in RPI are in good position to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Tech is on the bubble. It needs a strong finish to earn a spot.

The result of a game with Marshall, however, would not make a difference. The Thundering Herd is 23-28. They rank 175th in RPI. A loss would crush the Virginia Tech resume. Even a win would bring the Hokies’ standing down.

To avoid the slip, VT cancelled. It’s something that’s been seen throughout college baseball in 2026.

ACC rivals NC State and Miami did the same last week. Boston College, meanwhile, opted against a recent cancellation and it quickly backfired.

RPI is the key criteria evaluated by the selection committee. Weaker opponents are getting the boot as the stakes get higher.

Those opt outs previously received criticism from fans, but there was no potential punishment advertised by the NCAA. That has since changed.

The NCAA has spoken.

Cal State Bakersfield head coach Jordan Banfield posted an email received from the association this week. It references mid-major cancellations while detailing possible repercussions.

“We are concerned with the practice of cancelling regular season games for reasons other than inclement weather,” wrote Oversight Committee Chair Michael Alford.

“It is not in the intent or spirit of the game to attempt to strategically impact selection data or criteria… During the committee’s selective evaluation of teams, games cancelled to avoid the impact on mathematical metrics will be discussed and could have a negative impact on the subcommittee’s evaluation of a team.”

The NCAA looks to crack down on college baseball cancellations. Virginia Tech, among other teams, could be punished for not playing their previously scheduled games.

The news provides an interesting wrinkle with the selection process upcoming. We’ll see if the opt outs deprive any teams of tournament inclusion.

In the very least, the update should discourage the practice moving forward into 2027.

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