Inside HokieSports 12/5: Chompin' Down

Hokies Fight Past Florida In Annual ACC/SEC Challenge

December 05, 2025

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Good Morning, Hokies. We tried to tell ‘em!

What else are we covering into today’s edition, Hokies?

🏀 Chompin’ Down
🏈 Bring In The Closer
🎁 One Final Day
🦃 And much, much more!

🏈 BRING IN THE CLOSER

Much like in baseball, when the game needs to be closed out, managers will bring in a closer out of the bullpen.

In the recruiting game, James Franklin was that closer for the Virginia Tech football program as he and the Hokies wrapped up an eye-popping initial recruiting class this week.

🦃 STOCK UP

🔼 Chompin’ Down. Big time players make big time plays in big time games.

Enter Carys Baker. The Virginia Tech women’s hoops standout delivered a 23-point, 10-rebound performance for the Hokies, as they grinded out a hard-fought 68-64 home victory over Florida in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday night.

Mel Daley added 12 points, while Carleigh Wenzel filled up the stat sheet with eight points, six assists and five rebounds.

🔼 Praisin’ A Pair. Defensive standouts Kemari Copeland and Kody Huisman added another line to their football resume this week.

Both earned All-ACC accolades with Copeland earning third team honors and Huisman on the Honorable Mention list.

🔼 Secure Your Spot. Lock in your spot now!

Welcoming Mid-Atlantic headliners Bill Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr. as keynote speakers at its annual preseason banquet, the Virginia Tech baseball program has opened public registration for its 18th annual Baseball Night in Blacksburg, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at The Inn at Virginia Tech.

A formal event, ticketed guests – dressing at minimum in business casual attire – are permitted to arrive at 5:45 p.m. and asked to be seated by 6 p.m. ahead of opening remarks and a catered dinner service. Evan Hughes, master of ceremonies and the voice of the Virginia Tech baseball program, will invite head coach John Szefc to preview the Hokies’ upcoming 2026 season before entertaining the Ripken brothers in an authentic Q&A.

🎁 ONE FINAL DAY!

This holiday season the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Virginia Tech is once again partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to purchase gifts for over 200 children in our community through the Adopt-A-Family initiative.

Their goal is to raise $6,000 by December 5th  to purchase these presents for them! They will also throw parties at the participating schools (Eastern Montgomery High, Eastern Montgomery Elementary, Shawsville Middle and Christiansburg Middle School to pass out the gifts, celebrate the holiday season and the student's hard work.

Donations will be accepted through December 5th .

🤔 HOKIE TRIVIA

Carys Baker has now posted back-to-back 20+ point performances for the first time in her Virginia Tech career.

In her three seasons (74 total games), how many times has Baker reached 20+ points in a game?

Think you got it?

Scroll to the bottom and find out!

📆 THE DAYS AHEAD

Friday, December 5
🤼 #7 Wrestling at Cliff Keen Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
🏊 Swimming at Toyota US Open
👟 Track & Field at Liberty Indoor Kickoff

Saturday, December 6
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. George Mason @ 3pm l Tickets l Live Stats l Watch
🤼 #7 Wrestling at Cliff Keen Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
🏊 Swimming at Toyota US Open

Sunday, December 7
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Duke @ 2pm l Tickets l Live Stats l Watch
🤼 #7 Wrestling at Patriot Open (Fairfax, Va.)

🤝 SPREAD THE WORD

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Five times

🦃 Have a great weekend!