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WATCH: Oklahoma, Virginia Tech coaches comment on umpire controversy

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh06/10/22

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(Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Although they are hosting the Super Regional, Virginia Tech is not happy with how the home plate umpire is calling balls and strikes. Oklahoma pitcher Jake Bennett got a call on the outside corner to end the third inning, causing Hokies’ head coach John Szefc to voice his frustration.

After coming back from the commercial break, Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson was able to comment on the play during an interview with the ESPN broadcast. He was not sure as to why Szefc was frustrated with the particular call.

“I guess he thought that was a ball or something,” Johnson said. “I don’t know, I got no clue.”

A half-inning later, Szefc was given the opportunity to comment but decided to stay away from making further complaints. He instead wanted to focus on getting back into the matchup and take Game 1 of the Super Regional.

“I don’t need to get into that, let’s talk about some baseball,” Szefc said.

Oklahoma has gotten off to a quick start in Blacksburg, holding onto a 3-0 lead in their Super Regional. Both head coaches are looking for their players to continue on, even though Virginia Tech is in a position where a few runs will be required.

Friday is just the first of possibly three games between these two programs. Game 2 will take place on Saturday and if necessary, a winner take all Sunday game will decide who goes to Omaha. The Sooners were not a national seed and make it out of the Gainesville Regional, while the Hokies held their own as the No. 4 overall seed.

High-flying offense has been the theme of the NCAA Tournament thus far in college baseball and the Blacksburg Super Regional will be no different. Even if Virginia Tech disagrees with how the game is being called behind the plate, their bats will eventually come alive at home.