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Inside HokieSports 7/10: Opportunity Knocks

Inside HokieSports 7/10: Opportunity Knocks

Hokies Look For Opportunity As 2026 MLB Draft On Deck This Weekend

July 10, 2026

Good morning, Tech Fam. Welp, this looks familiar, huh Hokies fans?

What all are we covering in today’s edition, Hokies? Check it out below!

⚾️ Opportunity Knocks
🤼 Wrestling Recap
🏀 Fun In The Sun
🦃 And much, much more!

🔼 Opportunity Knocks. It’s a dream that they’ve played out since they were little kids running around the back yard.

Now, their dream could be just hours away.

This weekend, several Hokies are hoping to hear their name called when this year’s MLB Amateur Draft kicks off tomorrow in Philadelphia and runs through Sunday.

⚾️ Follow the MLB Draft Tracker

🔼 Golden Boys. Now that’s what we call a business trip.

Ryan Burton (79kg) and Bo Bassett (65kg) made quick work on the mats at the UWW U20 Pan-American Championships, combining for a 7-0 record and bringing home gold in their respective weight classes.

The Hokie wrestling duo allowed just two points in the seven matches, outscoring the opposition by a combined 74-2 on the day.

🔼 Fun In The Sun. The Hokies are heading to the Sunshine State.

On Thursday, it was announced that the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will compete in the 2026 Emerald Coast Classic on November 23 and 24. This will be Tech’s first appearance in the event.

Virginia Tech will open against UT Martin on Monday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. and will take on either Alcorn State or Michigan State in its second game on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Virginia Tech is the third ACC team to participate in the multi-team event, following Virginia’s appearance in 2025 and Syracuse in 2024.

🏀 More On This Year’s Event

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🏀 BETWEEN THE ARCHES

Earlier this month, Virginia Tech women’s hoops unveiled a brand new series, “Between The Arches.”

Each week, Evan Hughes will introduce a new face joining the program for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

This week, we’re meeting freshman guard, Kaleo Anderson.

🏈 COUNTIN’ DOWN: 5️⃣7️⃣ DAYS

Throughout the summer, we will be counting down the days
to the return of Virginia Tech Football this fall. The Hokies will host
VMI on September 5 at 7:30 p.m.

After making his collegiate debut at Virginia Tech last season, #5️⃣7️⃣ Lucas Austin is back with the Hokies looking to battle for playing time up front on the offensive line.

The Sterling, Ill., native arrived in Blacksburg last fall after spending his 2024 season at West Virginia. Austin played in 11 games, mostly on special teams, in 2025 for the Hokies.

At 6-5, 305-pounds, Austin earned All-State and All-Conference accolades during his high school career at Sterling High School.

🤔 HOKIE TRIVIA

Virginia Tech baseball has a long-standing connection to the MLB draft that dates back 60 years with 124 Hokies selected in the program’s history.

Who was Tech’s first-ever selection in the draft?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom and find out!

📆 THE DAYS AHEAD

*all times are ET*

🟠 Click here to see the full Virginia Tech Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Johnny Oates (1966 MLB Draft - Second Round - Chicago White Sox)

🦃 Have a great one, y’all!