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Virginia Tech OF Ben Watson Reflects on His Collegiate Career

Screenshot 2025 07 13 at 1 35 36 PM
Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics
Josh Poslusny | @Joshpozvt
Writer/Baseball Beat Reporter

Ben Watson is a 2025 graduate at Virginia Tech, finishing up his two year career at Virginia Tech following a four-year career at Elizabethtown College (DIII).

In his two years in Blacksburg, Watson hit .367 with 12 homers and 83 RBI. That doesn't tell the whole story though. Watson quickly became a sensation in the Virginia Tech lineup during the 2024 season, where he won the ACC batting title by hitting .419

In the 2025 season, he started poorly and slumped quite a bit, but picked up when the Hokies got into ACC play. He finished the season batting .313.

With his career coming to an end, I got the opportunity to sit down and speak with the former ACC batting-champion about his collegiate career.

Watson transferred to Virginia Tech from Elizabethtown college, where he slashed .486/.559/.595 with just 15 strikeouts in the 2023 season.

"I had a good summer after be junior year at E-town,” Watson said. "I sent a bunch of emails out to mostly ACC schools, some SEC and Big Ten. It really only got interest from like two or three." Showing the difficulty of portal scouting, especially at the lower levels."

From there, Ben Watson knew all he needed was one chance, which Virginia Tech provided.

"All you need is one. Went on a couple of visits, then it became clear that Virginia Tech would be the best fit for me,” Watson said. "At the time, there wasn't supposed be any returning outfielders. They told me they expect [me to be a starter] as long as I come in and earn it."

The jump from DIII to ACC baseball was a big change for him.

"I struggled a bit in the first fall, especially getting used to the consistent velocity... I had to go back to my strengths and prove to myself that ‘you're good enough to be here’.”

Watson wasn't the only player on the 2025 roster to play in DIII ball before coming to Virginia Tech. Josh Berzonski and Grant Manning also both transferred in from DIII schools.

“I think right off the bat, you have your icebreakers. You have a lot in common that you might not have with other guys right at the beginning." Watson said about his relationship with those two. "Definitely and easy way to make friends and get close to people."

Now, Ben Watson is the single-season record holder for hits at Virginia Tech with 93 (.419 batting average), something that is obviously quite meaningful.

"It means a lot. It's one of those pinch myself moments when I remember that I actually did that,” Watson said about the meaning of being the record holder. "It's really cool because, Virginia Tech, an ACC school. A lot of good baseball history and a lot of players have gone through there. To know that I did something that nobody else did, it's pretty cool."

Watson fondly remembers a number of good performances at Virginia Tech, but none stand out more than his first game at English Field.

"I think it was against Rhode Island. My first four or five games weren't the best, but that was the first one where I kind of came out of my shell and had my best game [of my career]." He went 4-6 with seven RBI and what I like to call a 'cycle+' where he was just a single short of the cycle, but had a second double.

Watson also remembers the game two against UNC where there was a bit of a dust-up between the two teams.

“I was able to rob a home run that game, and hit one. There were obviously a lot of fireworks in the house for that one."

Watson had a strong 2025 season overall, but it started with a slump where he was batting just .136 through the first 12 games of the season.

“Yeah, it was tough. The hardest part of being in a slump is not knowing what you need to do." He said about the tough stretch. "I just really had to get back to going the other way, hitting the ball to left field. Me and [Garrett] Michel were working on the same thing together because we both didn't really get off to the hottest start.”

Watson spent six years in college baseball and met a number of people, but some standout above the rest when it comes to the strongest bonds and influences in his career.

"At Elizabethtown, when I was a freshman there, a lot of upperclassmen helped me a lot. Andrew Fisher and Mike Rajnik, to name a few."

Watson obviously also developed bonds during his two year stay in Blacksburg.

“Last year, I would say [Chris] Cannizzaro helped. We were kind of in similar shoes. My role last year was the position he was in the year prior, being the fifth year outfielder. He helped me through that a little bit. Then you have Tackett this year, we've come a long way. Through our ups and downs, we had to learn to combat that together. At Virginia Tech, I was in more of a leadership role.” He expressed.

Fans and teammates will remember Ben Watson fondly, especially with him being the Hokies’ single-season hit leader. Watson hopes fans will remember him for more than just his on-field performance though.

"I hope they remember me as a good guy than a good player. Somebody that likes to stick around after the games and sign anything for the kids, just trying to make their day. I hope my left my mark as a good player as well, too.”

The veteran outfielder tried his luck at getting drafted after the 2024 season, but to no avail despite hitting over .400 in the ACC. He is going to try his luck again this year, and he is already succeeding in the MLB draft league.

“I want to do everything I can to get signed by an affiliate team. Everything's still up in the air right now.”

Even spending just two years in Blacksburg, the Virginia Tech jersey meant a lot to Ben Watson.

"I've met a ton of great people here. I think that everything happens for a reason. Landing up here was probably the best thing for me. I was able to get another good degree, which will help me beyond baseball of course. I think I got a lot better at baseball as well with the help of my coaching staff and teammates. The people I've met would probably be the biggest thing. I've met some people who are like brothers now, and that I will keep in touch with for a long time.”

So how would Watson sum up what it was like to play college baseball at the highest level?

“I think the last thing I said kinda sums up my time here and what it's meant for me. I've made memories that will last for a lifetime. Being able to live out one of my biggest dreams as a kid, playing big D1 baseball, came true here."

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