March 31, 2026

‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST DRAWS OUT VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS

Erin Bailey | News Editor

Over 3,300 rallies occurred nationwide to support the ‘No Kings’ protest.

Roughly 2,000 individuals in the Blacksburg community gathered Saturday, March 28, to participate in the third “No Kings” protest.

The “No Kings” protests are nationwide gatherings that oppose the administration of President Donald Trump. The protest centers around the values that “the president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have Kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”

There were over 3,300 rallies across the country that participated in the nonviolent protest.

“The protest was about the fact that our democracy has been working against having a king since its creation, and no one voted for one now,” said Grace Taylor, a freshman double majoring in psychology and criminology.

Protesters were a mix of Virginia

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Tech students and Blacksburg locals. They marched down the streets of downtown Blacksburg starting at 3 p.m. at Henderson Lawn. They chanted and carried signs disagreeing with Trump’s policies, such as immigration.

A towering structure of Vladimir Putin was carried down the street. In one hand holding a miniature Trump and in the other holding a sign stating, “Make America Monarchy Again.”

The protest was co-organized with a Virginia Tech-based group, Indivisible. Indivisible is a national team that leads activism and drives campaigns to terminate right-wing takeovers. Other student organizations joined the protest as well.

“I went to represent my club, United Feminist Movement, and stand up and speak about what’s going on in our country,” Taylor said.

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According to National Today, organizers say they will continue the “No

in

with the next protest scheduled for June 2026.

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VIRGINIA TECH TO HOST 21ST ANNUAL BIG EVENT ON APRIL 11

Laura Pajoma | News Writer

Volunteer registration is open and closes April 8.

On April 11, Virginia Tech will host The Big Event, a day dedicated to giving back to the community through hundreds of service projects across Blacksburg, Christiansburg and the New River Valley. According to VT Engage, The Big Event is “a student-run day of community engagement,” where “thousands of students, faculty, and staff come together to complete nearly 900 community service projects throughout

Blacksburg, Christiansburg and the New River Valley to say ‘Thank You.’”

The Big Event is a University Charter Student Organization that is advised by VT Engage. The first event at Virginia Tech took place in 2002, where 475 volunteers came together to complete 60 projects. Since then, the event has grown significantly, with last year’s 2025 Big Event involving 5,252 volunteers completing 855 projects. This year

marks the 21st annual event, with an expected record-breaking attendance prediction.

The day officially begins at 9 a.m. on the Drillfield. Volunteers are expected to arrive earlier to receive their project assignments and any necessary equipment needed for the project. Afterward, students will head to their assigned projects, with the day concluding around 4 p.m.

Registration for volunteers is currently open and will close on April 8 at 11:59 p.m. Interested students, faculty, staff and student organizations such as sororities, fraternities, clubs and athletic teams can register via GobblerConnect or the official VT Engage The Big Event page, which also provides the most up-to-date information and updates about the event.

ACLARA PILOT PLANT AT VIRGINIA TECH SUPPORTS PUSH TO VERTICALLY INTEGRATE U.S. RARE-EARTH

METAL SUPPLY CHAIN

Benjamin Woltman | News Writer

The United States fully relies on rare metal imports.

As of March 19, 2026, Virginia Tech is now officially home to a rare-earth element separation plant, directly integrating the university into a nationwide effort to rebuild domestic mineral processing while expanding research opportunities for engineering students.

The plant was developed by Aclara Resources, a company focused on sustainable rare-earth extraction and processing in partnership with Virginia Tech. It will be used to test and refine methods for separating rare-earth elements, while larger-scale separation operations will occur at the Aclara plant in Louisiana.

Rare-earth metal processing has largely been outsourced from the United States since the 1980s. The United States is currently 100% dependent on imports of separated rare-earth materials, with 90% of those imports coming from China, according to the Department of War.

This reliance on imports has become a focus for policymakers, particularly for the Department of War, as rareearth elements play a critical role in the production of military technologies like fighter jets and missile systems. Reliance on imports for military technologies is cited as an economic vulnerability

and has prompted renewed efforts to increase domestic capabilities. The Virginia Tech plant is at the forefront of those efforts, helping to reestablish technical expertise that had disappeared from the US workforce following outsourcing.

For Virginia Tech students, the impact is more immediate.

By introducing industry work into a university setting, the facility gives students exposure to a field that has been largely inaccessible in the United States, while also preparing a new generation of engineers to enter an expanding domestic industry.

Sam Evans, a senior research associate in Virginia Tech’s Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering who works on the pilot plant, said the return of rareearth processing to the United States creates new academic and professional opportunities for students.

“This kind of work was largely moved overseas decades ago,” Evans said. “Bringing it back here not only strengthens the supply chain but gives graduate and undergraduate students the chance to engage with separation processes that have real-world impacts and implications.”

Virginia Tech’s selection for the

project reflects its role in mining and engineering research. As rare-earth processing returns to the United States, the pilot plant helps students gain experience in a previously dormant domestic industry and underscores engineering’s connection to macroeconomics and politics.

BEST OF BLACKSBURG: A TASTE OF HOME BEHIND GREEN’S BEST SUSHI WIN

Cat Pizzarello | Lifestyles

Editor

A staple of the local food scene, Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar pairs fresh ingredients with a welcoming, family-driven atmosphere.

Laughter and chitchat fill the spaces where servers weave around a small selection of wooden tables, embellishing the emptiness with colorful fish and warm, hearty Lebanese specialties. This rare atmosphere is curated by Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar — a local favorite Asian spot that was voted best sushi in this year’s Best of Blacksburg poll.

Green’s menu is filled with a variety of Asian cuisines, from Japanese to Lebanese, with touches of Mediterranean and even Mexican. The restaurant opened in 2009 and has been a favorite of the townspeople and students since.

“I noticed that the market needed it (a sushi restaurant), and the places that were in town were very expensive and not affordable to students,” said George Elabboud, the owner of Green’s. “I thought it would be a good idea to open one for the locals and the students that is affordable.”

Elabboud’s start in Blacksburg came long before his idea for Green’s. Before moving to the area full-time, he worked at his sister’s coffee shop in Blacksburg, More Than Coffee, which has since closed. Little did Elabboud know that this shop would be just around the corner from where he would eventually open Green’s.

“In our home, my mom was a big cook. She used to cook for my cousins and us (his siblings). I have many memories associated with food,” Elabboud said. “Food is something that keeps the family going and the friends always gathering, and it means a lot to us (Green’s).”

Elabboud gained his sushi expertise at the Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles and Little Tokyo. Through this experience, he cultivated the entirety of Green’s menu, carefully constructing everything from sushi rolls to gourmet tacos. His love for food and family is seen in every dish, big or small.

“I think our Lebanese kebab and the shawarma platters are our signature dishes. It’s my family recipe,” Elabboud said. “We marry the chicken and the meat with our

spices, which we bring from Lebanon.”

Beyond good spices from far and wide, Elabboud’s focus on freshness is what keeps customers coming back for more. All fish at Green’s is sourced from a variety of seafood companies, mostly based in Maryland.

“We get all our fish fresh. We make it from a big whole fish into the smallest piece of nigiri. Everything is made here in the house. All our sauces are homemade, nothing from a gallon or a bucket,” Elabboud said. “Everything is made with the highest quality ingredients; it’s not something pre-made. That definitely sets it apart, and people can tell.”

With delicious food constantly drawing a line out the door, the restaurant began to outgrow its smaller space. In 2014, Green’s gained the addition of a bar to help control the many hungry customers at their door.

“The bar helped a lot because we used to have a line out the door all the time. The town gave us the outdoor seating, and then this bar section was available after the previous ice cream shop that was here decided not to renew their release,” Elabboud said. “It helped a lot; it helped with the line at the door, and the place became more fun to be inside and more spacious.”

Little did Elabboud know that the extension of a bar and extra space wouldn’t stop the restaurant from having a wait list. The results from this year’s Best of Blacksburg poll proved that nothing will stop this Blacksburg gem from having a line out the door.

“We wait for this result every year. We talk about it in the kitchen and at the front of the house. We always want to win it,” Elabboud said. “Every dish we do is to win that thing because it means a lot because it’s voting. It’s not a critic or an influencer writing something. We’re very proud to have it.”

Green’s has also won the award for best vegetarian fare in prior years, a title that Elabboud and his staff hope to win back in the future. Elabboud expressed that

his staff shares his passion for success and perfection.

“Without the staff, we can’t do anything. The people can’t eat here, and we can’t serve the food. By myself, I can’t do it all,” Elabboud said. “I know it’s a cliché, but we are really a family here. If you came to Green’s five years ago, you would see the same kitchen staff. The only people who change in front of the house are the students because they graduate. You take care of them, they take care of the business. We all have the same goal: to serve the best we can.”

Elabboud also owns G2’s All American Grill, an American-style cuisine restaurant next door to Green’s on College Avenue. Recently, he has focused on expanding the restaurant’s menu to include options for every customer.

“It’s our sister restaurant — it’s our latenight spot. Now we’re improving the lunch

and dinner on it, and we’re adding healthy options to it,” Elabboud said. “We would love for everybody to come try it.”

From its family-driven beginnings to its expanding menu and loyal customer base, Green’s success is a testament to the sense of community and care behind every dish. For Elabboud and his team, the award represents more than just recognition; it reflects years of dedication to creating a welcoming space and serving food that keeps customers coming back.

“I want to thank everybody who voted for us. We really appreciate it, and we will try to work even harder this year to win the same thing,” Elabboud said. “For people who didn’t vote for us, please come try, and we will try to gain your vote.”

BEST OF BLACKSBURG: FESTIVE FOOD AND A LASTING IMPRESSION, BROUGHT TO YOU BY EL RODEO

Willow Musterman and Annie O’Connell | Lifestyles Writer

Lifestyles writers take a look inside the Best Mexican Fare in Blacksburg.

This year, over 900 students and locals voted in the Best of Blacksburg poll. They made their voices heard, and El Rodeo took home the title of Best Mexican Fare.

“(This award) is not just for me, it’s nice to be recognized,” said Christian Torres, the general manager of El Rodeo, North Main Street. “It is nice for everybody. It’s a trophy at the end of the day.”

El Rodeo has been a staple in the Blacksburg area since the ‘90s. El Rodeo first appeared on North Main Street, but the restaurant gained so much traction that it added a second location on South Main Street in 2011.

“I’m glad to be here,” Torres said. “I’ve been working for a year now. I realized this place was booming after being here

a month or two. It’s become a staple for everybody.”

Commonly referred to as “El Rod’s,” the lively restaurant attracts crowds of all ages. From a birthday lunch to dinner after a football game, Virginia Tech students and Blacksburg residents find themselves at this festive restaurant.

“Parents, when they come here, they realize how lively it is and how loud it can get, but it’s not obnoxious,” Torres said. “Whenever people come for vacation, this is the first place they want to come. Even in snowstorms, everyone wants to come here.”

El Rodeo is a key component of Virginia Tech students’ lives. The Mexican cuisine the restaurant serves provides comfort to Hokies, whether

they are stressed or ready to celebrate a special occasion.

“It’s Mexican food; it’s a warm dish,” Torres said. “If you’re having stress with finals, if you’re having stress with whatever, the first thing people think is, ‘I want something warm and comforting,’ and you think of Mexico.”

It is clear El Rodeo is dedicated to authentic flavors, through their efforts to improve their current dishes while introducing new cuisines for Blacksburg residents.

“We’re trying to make it better every day,” Torres said. “We upped our menu and brought in some new things.”

With over 100 individual menu items, El Rodeo keeps customers coming back. Even with new menu items on the

up-and-coming, the classic dishes are far from forgotten.

When asked to recommend one menu item to potential customers, one dish stands out the most. “Everyone already knows about it,” Torres said. “Our birria tacos. Everyone should try it. It’s a little taste of Mexico.”

The comfort of their cuisine and welcoming atmosphere does not go unnoticed in the Hokie community. So, whether they’re a student in town for four years or a local here to stay, Blacksburg residents have voted that “El Rod’s” is the place to be.

TRIPLE THREAT: SHARKEY’S WINS BEST BURGER, BEST WINGS AND BEST HAPPY HOUR

Aleeza Ali | Lifestyles Contributor

A downtown favorite, Sharkey’s Wing and Rib Joint combines great food, drinks and a sense of community.

Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint has established itself as a staple in Blacksburg, recently earning Best of Blacksburg honors for Best Burger, Best Wings and Best Happy Hour. Known for its consistent student presence and central location, the restaurant continues to stand out among other local spots.

The recognition highlights Sharkey’s role as both a dining destination and social space for students, locals and visitors alike, drawing crowds throughout the week for its food and atmosphere.

“Most of us working here are or were

Virginia Tech students,” said Michael Minnihan, server, bartender and manager at Sharkey’s. “We’ve been here for a while and we love being a part of the Blacksburg community. It is just home to us at this point, and we love giving back to the students and locals.”

Sharkey’s menu plays a major role in its popularity, particularly its awardwinning burgers and wings. The kitchen staff focuses on using high-quality ingredients to create consistent meals.

“The California burger is very popular,” Minnihan said. “The honey sriracha sauce with wings is one of my

favorite things on the menu.”

Beyond the menu, Sharkey’s has built a strong presence among Virginia Tech students, offering a space that blends dining and social interaction.

“Students can come in, talk with the employees and feel comfortable with them, and talk to other guests as well,” Minnihan said. “We want them to feel comfortable because it creates a better atmosphere for everyone.”

The restaurant’s consistent popularity brings steady crowds, especially during peak hours. Happy hour remains one of the busiest times of day.

“When I’m bartending, I make sure that I’m getting guests their drinks in a timely fashion,” Minnihan said. “Winning Best Happy Hour shows me that a lot of people enjoy coming here, which is what we want to see.”

For the Sharkey’s team, the recognition reflects continued support from the community and students.

“We love making a bond with our guests as much as we can, and it really makes a difference,” Minnihan said.

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BEST OF BLACKSBURG: YMCA THRIFT SHOP RECOGNIZED FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CLOTHES

Hunter Grove | Lifestyles Writer

YMCA Thrift Shop provides students and residents with affordable and sustainable shopping.

For nearly five decades, the YMCA Thrift Shop has been a staple among Virginia Tech students and Blacksburg locals. From clothes and dishes to furniture and appliances, the store is a one-stop shop for many students who have just moved into their dorms and apartments.

But the YMCA Thrift represents more than just a clothing store. For years, its staff and managers have fostered a community that serves everyone in the Blacksburg area.

“I love Blacksburg and I love Virginia Tech,” said store manager Brock Sharpe. “The things that this thrift store does for this town and community are very near and dear to my heart.”

That sense of purpose is the driving factor behind everything the YMCA Thrift Shop does. A large portion of sales and proceeds go right back into YMCA programs that help fund childcare, youth development and financial assistance. Its impact is not often seen to customers walking through the door, but it’s felt throughout the community.

“We do a lot of outreach that a lot of people don’t know about,” Sharpe said. “We feed around 300 kids a week using money generated from our shop.”

The YMCA Thrift Shop operates as a continuous cycle of giving. Many students buy furniture and supplies at

the start of their academic tenure and donate them back, often through the Y-TOSS, when they graduate.

Apart from affordability, the YMCA Thrift Shop plays a key role in the shift to more sustainable shopping habits. College-age students and other mindful shoppers are drawn not just due to lower prices, but also to reduce waste.

Due to the transience of college-age students, thrift shops like the YMCA help maintain a sense of continuity in their communities. It’s a constant and consistent resource that helps put necessities in the hands of those who need them most.

For Sharpe and the rest of the staff

OPINIONS

who have helped cultivate the shop’s community, the mission has always been simple: Give those in need anything and everything they require to live happily.

“Our only goals for the future are always bigger and always better,” Sharpe said. “We are always trying to get the newest and best donations in our store for those who will benefit from them.”

Serving new students and longtime residents, the YMCA Thrift Shop acts as a bridge that connects those in need across the Blacksburg community.

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RANKING BLACKSBURG THRIFT STORES

Emily Urda | Assistant Opinions Editor

Blacksburg boasts a variety of thrift stores for vintage seekers and trendsetters alike.

Since 2018, the market for thrifting has increased by 143.5%. The thrifting industry has amassed $56 billion and continues to increase by 14.3% each year, due to trends on TikTok, quality old clothing and affordability. In this article, I will list my personal top five thrift stores in Blacksburg, Virginia and two honorable mentions located in Christiansburg, Virginia. If your favorite place is listed, I am sorry for giving up the goods.

Buying secondhand is extremely important for the environment. As of now, we have made enough clothes to last generations. Consumers don’t want to pay higher prices for quality clothing when they can find cheap versions on Temu and Shein. About 27% of textile and apparel professionals have reported that it is difficult to ensure quality. The truth is that clothes have increased an average of 1.97% a year in price, a stagnant and lower rate compared to other industries like education, which fluctuates from

5-6% each year. Meaning the only way for businesses to make money is to try and convince consumers to buy more of this cheap product.

Consumers buy on average 64 new pieces of clothing each year. This has led to consumers dumping 92 million pounds of unwanted clothing in landfills and overseas, where they are polluting other countries and effectively killing the ecosystems. Thrifting is great for supporting local businesses, saving the environment and putting less pressure on your wallet, because college isn’t cheap!

Blacksburg Thrift Store Rankings

5. YMCA Thrift Shop on North Main

The YMCA Thrift Shop on North Main is the weakest spot in town, yet it has the biggest selection and store. You are bound to find something worthwhile, whether it be a nice couch, an

antique cash register, or an old sewing machine. There is a lot of stuff to sort through, which makes the place a bit overwhelming and potentially a type A person’s nightmare. However, if you are in need of a bike to get around this hefty campus, head on down to the YMCA on North Main Street. They’ve got a massive collection of bikes.

4. BookHolders

BookHolders is a funky spot with tons of Virginia Tech decorations you can hang up in your dorm. It’s a great spot to purchase books and also thrift for clothing and accessories. You might be surprised by what you find at BookHolders, though; the selection is on the smaller side.

3. Goodwill on North Main

Located near the Blacksburg landmark, Carol Lee Donuts, and a

great late-night spot for Chinese food, Chinese Kitchen, this Goodwill has unbeatable deals and the finds are even better. Maybe it’s the fun in treasure hunting; each time you step into the Goodwill on North Main, you can’t and won’t leave empty-handed.

2.

Blacksburg Vintage Collective

A new addition to the main drag in Blacksburg is the Blacksburg Vintage Collective. Not only does it contain second-hand pieces, but it has new ones, too. Designers like alum Yosef Woods often sell their pieces here. It’s guaranteed that both one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and designs can be found here. Other items are brimmed hats, like some of their Yankee x VT hats, fun Virginia Tech memorabilia like the stop light displayed in the front of their store, nostalgic VCR tapes, vinyls and funky-cool jewelry.

continued on page 7

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1. Blacksburg Vintage Market

My number one pick, Blacksburg Vintage Market, is located in the heart of Blacksburg: the Market Square Park. There are 10 or so different vendors selling a variety of bags, clothes, jewelry and knick-knacks. Running from late March to late November, these vendors are often local shops from surrounding towns. This is my favorite thrift “store” as there are multiple different personalities. Paper Moon Vintage, known for its sprawling jewelry and funky button

collections, Mountain View Mercantile has its selection of bags and purses, and Blacksburg Vintage has a collection of Virginia Tech memorabilia and tees. These are some of my favorites, but on any given Sunday, there could be a new pop-up.

Honorable Mentions

Just a town over, in Christiansburg, lies the legendary thrift store Cambria Station Antiques, one of my favorite places to shop in Montgomery County. Plato’s Closet and Mountain View Mercantile are also located nearby. Plato’s is a great place to

find that brand you covet, like Dr. Martens or Birkenstock, while Mountain View Mercantile has a great selection of candles, art pieces and vintage clothes. Mountain View, just like Cambria Station Antiques, holds and respects the history of its location. The shop used to be an old grocery store, and the owner retrofitted the refrigerator into a changing room for her customers and sports the old cash register. Cambria Station Antiques used to be a general store hosting bales of hay and animal feed. The original flooring is found throughout the store and it also contains

plenty of old machinery that may date back to the store’s original purpose. Support and protect these stores as they are not only vendors of vintage and affordable clothing, but also artifacts of old Appalachia, keeping the past alive and supporting a greener future.

BLACKSBURG’S BEST COFFEE STARTS AT OUR DAILY BREAD

Sarah Leberknight | Opinions Columnist

Coffee is about more than what’s in the cup; it’s about the experience and ambiance.

Blacksburg is full of coffee shops, each with its own personality. Bollo’s Cafe and Bakery and Coffeeholics face each other down in an artsy alley right off campus. Halwa Bakery and Cafe and Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea sit side-by-side on North Main, where Blacksburg’s newest coffee shop, Coffee Lab, also resides. Lighthouse Coffee guards Center Street, Next Door Bake Shop is tucked behind Surge, and Our Daily Bread concludes Blacksburg’s string of coffee shops down South Main. Whether you’re looking for a coffee to go or a study spot, Blacksburg has got you covered. Maybe even a little too covered, in fact. How can you know which place is the best?

If you’re too busy on the academic grind and unable to sample all of Blacksburg’s local spots to find the best bean-based brew, don’t worry. I’ve done the fieldwork. In an effort to glamorize my final semester here at Virginia Tech, I decided to take my studying to each and every coffee shop here in Blacksburg. It was incredibly hard work, trying all these coffees and pastries. Truly exhausting. But the experience turned into an accidental experiment, and now I’m here to spill the tea — or in this case, coffee.

The criteria I worked off of weren’t anything fancy. I was looking for coffee that tasted good and, equally as important, tasted like the flavor listed. Don’t promise me a caramel latte that doesn’t taste like caramel. I was looking for an enjoyable environment — basically, a nice place to sit and either socialize or study, as well. Because what are coffee shops but caffeinated study spots? Finally, I was looking to see if the spots had something to eat alongside their coffee selections. A well-rounded coffee shop is the best coffee shop.

Blacksburg’s best cup of coffee, in my

opinion, belongs to Our Daily Bread. While the coffee and bake shop is a little out of the way, it’s worth the trek. Their coffee is smooth and flavorful — when I order a flavored latte, it tastes like what it promises. Their coffee and tea menu is appropriately sized, with something for everyone, but there aren’t so many options that they spread themselves too thin and can’t focus on quality.

It’s not just coffee that Our Daily Bread has to offer, either. They have a huge and delicious range of pastries that pair perfectly with their coffees and teas. Their apple turnover, featuring flaky pastry encrusted with sugar and stuffed with mounds of sweet apple filling, is downright unbelievable.

You can run in and grab a coffee to go, or take a seat inside. If you’re looking to get some work done, the best time to hit Our Daily Bread is mid-late afternoon, when it offers a reasonably quiet environment. The mornings tend to be pretty packed. Which makes sense — who wouldn’t want to start their day with Blacksburg’s best coffee and baked goods?

But sometimes a coffee shop isn’t just about the coffee. It’s about the ambience and the environment. It’s about the experience of sitting there and getting work done or chatting with friends. And when that’s the case, I think there’s no better place than Coffeeholics.

The coffee shop, which was the people’s vote for Best Coffee Shop in the Best of Blacksburg Poll, is spacious, with various seating options, including tables, couches and bar stools. The range of art and the wood paneling on the walls, plus the little digital fireplace, give Coffeeholics major points in the vibe category. And if it’s nice outside, you can take in the huge owl art that adorns

Coffeeholics’ exterior. Plus, their coffee is solid and they have a variety of unique pastries, so the shop is in no way all style and no substance.

While Our Daily Bread and Coffeeholics are my clear winners, some of the other shops have commendable features. Mill Mountain offers actual mugs and glasses for those seated inside, which amps up the coffee shop aesthetic. Halwa gives customers a taste of Lebanese and Egyptian culture, while Coffee Lab offers late closing times for the night owls. I would have no problem recommending all of these places.

The places that I can’t recommend would be Bollo’s, Next Door Bake Shop and Lighthouse. While Bollo’s has an amazing pumpkin muffin, their coffee is very subpar and the shop feels cramped, making it a less-than-ideal place to hang out or study. Similarly, Next Door Bake Shop has solid baked goods, but their coffee doesn’t deliver on flavor at all. Lighthouse, while awesome for being a donation-based shop, also doesn’t have great coffee — my latte tasted burnt. Since I’m talking about the

best coffee shops here, good pastries and nice prices can’t make up for “meh” or worse coffee.

When we talk about coffee shops in terms of the Best of Blacksburg, my pick based on coffee alone — the most important part about a coffee shop — is Our Daily Bread. Coffeeholics, on the other hand, wins for the best sit-in experience. But what’s best about coffee shops in Blacksburg, more broadly speaking, is that there are so many local options. We don’t have to rely on our multiple Starbucks and Dunkin’ locations — and we shouldn’t. The local places generally offer higher quality coffee, and the chains aren’t necessarily cheaper despite being chains. A 12 oz. coconut latte from Starbucks costs $5.25, while a 12 oz. coconut latte from Coffeeholics costs $4.59.

So if you’re looking to get your coffee fix in Blacksburg, you know the best places to go. But don’t forget the general beauty of having and supporting many local coffee shops.

RENFROW FANS 12 AS BASEBALL BEATS STANFORD, 10-2

It’s hard to lose a baseball game when your starting pitcher goes seven and a third innings, allows one run and strikes out 12.

Virginia Tech right-handed pitcher Brett Renfrow dominated Stanford on Saturday as the Hokies (13-12, 5-6 ACC) toppled the Cardinal (12-13, 2-6 ACC), 10-2, at English Field.

“I just executed pitches,” Renfrow said. “Heard the pitch, visualized it and went out there and just did my thing.”

“That’s what you expect (Renfrow) to do,” said Hokies head coach John Szefc. “That’s really our best player, in theory, beating them. That was clearly the difference in the game.”

The junior right-hander’s strikeout total marked a career high, and he reached the 200-career strikeout mark in the top of the fourth inning.

“I just kind of go out there each time and know that I’m elite,” Renfrow said. “Every outing is the same mentality-wise, but I just go out there and attack.”

His sole run allowed came in the top of the third, when Cardinal first baseman Rintaro

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Tech’s ace earned his first win of the season on Saturday.

Sasaki hit a solo home run to left field, his ninth of the season.

“I know there are good competitors out there,” Renfrow said. “I know there are good hitters, but, (it’s) kind of knowing my strengths and using them out there.”

While Renfrow’s outing set the tone, the bottom of Tech’s lineup fueled its offense. The Hokies got all 10 of their RBIs from hitters batting sixth through ninth in the lineup.

“That’s a good sign right there,” Szefc said. “To be able to win a game when (batters) one through five don’t drive in a run, you’re not going to read about that in the paper and stuff, but that’s kind of a pretty impressive thing.”

Among those who drove in runs was Hokies catcher Henry Cooke.

Cooke went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and three RBIs, all of which came on a 391-foot blast over the left-field wall in the bottom of the second.

The senior backstop struggled to begin the season, but is 4-for-6 in his past two games.

“The beginning of the season, I just put it past me,” Cooke said. “I know it’s not the type of hitter I am. I just stick to a plan now and follow it.”

“This is (Cooke’s) fourth year of college baseball,” Szefc said. “He started slow. He’s played 25 games. It’s not even at the halfway point. … Typically, guys like him … the more they play, the better they’ll typically get.”

Hokies first baseman Ethan Gibson also continued a strong series at the plate, hitting his second home run in as many days on a two-run drive to left in the bottom of the fourth.

“Feels good,” Gibson said of his performance. “Just trying to do what I can do. Try not to do anything out of it.”

“(Gibson) is a tough guy, man,” Szefc said. “He’s been around a little bit. He’s seen a lot. He’s just a good player. You see, yesterday he starts at third, today he starts at first. He’s kind of obviously defensively versatile. I think the more at-bats he gets, just like anybody

else, the better he’s going to get.”

After Tech’s bullpen ran into trouble in the eighth inning, left-handed pitcher Chase Swift entered, tossing the final one and two thirds innings hitless with three strikeouts.

“I love Chase Swift, man,” Gibson said. “He always comes out and does his job. Steady. It’s always fun watching him play.”

“He might have the best pitch on our team with his changeup,” Szefc said. “Again, it shows up today.”

The win marked the second time this season the Hokies’ offense has scored double-digit runs, joining their 11-6 victory over VCU on March 18.

“(Renfrow’s performance) takes tremendous pressure off of us,” Gibson said. “Being able to go out there and be freed up, I mean, that is a huge advantage to us.”

The Hokies will face the Cardinal on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET to decide the series.

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HOKIES BLOW OUT EAGLES IN THUMPING FASHION UP NORTH

When No. 12 Virginia Tech softball went up north to Massachusetts, it was also ready to go up in the scoreboard. Left fielder Nora Abromavage had four RBIs, reliever Bree Carrico pitched the final four scoreless innings and the Hokies pounced Boston College, 14-4, on Friday night.

Abromavage went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the top of the first inning to give her team an early lead, then hit a three-run homer the following frame to increase the Hokies’ lead from one run to four. She was also aggressive in those at-bats, swinging at the second pitch she saw in the first inning, and then swinging away at the first pitch she saw in her second at-bat. The slugging righty is now hitting .376 with nine homers and has a 1.239 OPS in her sophomore season.

Center fielder Addison Foster also recorded two hits, an accomplishment that six of the nine starters in the Virginia Tech lineup also leveled or surpassed.

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Carrico tossed four innings in relief.

She also recorded three RBIs in the game, two via a double in the fifth inning to give the Hokies a 10-4 lead, then a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth that scored second baseman Rachel Castine. Foster is also enjoying a stellar season, owning a .413 batting average with a 1.131 OPS and 26 RBIs in her first season with the Hokies since transferring from Stetson. She has hit at least .300 in every season of college softball she has played for Stetson and Virginia Tech. Hokies starter Avery Layton struggled through two innings of work, giving up four runs — all earned — on six hits, walking two and notching two strikeouts. The bullpen would have been forced to chew up a lot of innings, but Carrico carved through the final four innings of a shortened six-inning game. In those four innings, she only gave up two hits, walked two and struck out 10. She threw 67 pitches, and 50 were strikes.

With that, she earned her ninth win of the season, lowering her season earned run average to 1.33 while remaining undefeated. She has 86 strikeouts in only 63 innings pitched in her sophomore season.

The Eagles answered back at times. After the Hokies plated three runs in the top of the first inning, the Eagles responded with a pair of runs themselves, featuring an RBI single from third baseman Adriana Martinez. Then, Layton threw a wild pitch and allowed Sammy Horn to run home from third base. The Eagles again plated two more in the bottom of the third inning, when Martinez hit a two-run homer to right field, cutting Boston College’s deficit from six to four. Martinez went 2-for-3 with a home run, being responsible for three of the four runs the Eagles scored that night. She is also enjoying a strong offensive season, batting .314 with four

homers and 15 RBIs in 25 games played with a .934 OPS.

Eagles starter Alyx Rossi had a rough night, only pitching two innings while surrendering eight hits, seven runs (all earned), walking two and giving up two home runs. Her record dropped to 0-4.

The Hokies and Eagles play again Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET. The Hokies will aim for a three-game sweep of the Eagles and go for their ninth straight victory.

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