BLACKSBURG, Va. — Sam Fragale and Connor Coward both proved something during the 2017 college baseball season.

The Seneca Valley graduates stepped up their game at the plate and on the mound, respectively, for Virginia Tech.

A redshirt junior, Fragale led the Hokies in home runs (15), RBI (63) and slugging percentage (.615) while Coward, a junior, paced the team in innings pitched (72) and tied for the top spot in wins (5).

After not seeing action as a true freshman in 2014, Fragale hit one home run and batted .190 in 35 games played the next season.

“That would have been a rough season for anybody and it certainly was for me,” Fragale said. “I had to come back from that and I think I grew as a player that season.”

Fragale improved both his average (.267) and power numbers (seven home runs) in 2016, and became one of the Atlantic Coast Conference's most dangerous hitters this spring. He finished fifth in the conference in RBI and eighth in both home runs and slugging while batting .310.

“I shortened things up with my swing,” said Fragale, a first baseman who batted cleanup, “but it wasn't so much anything with my mechanics as it was my mental approach at the plate. I wasn't necessarily trying to hit more home runs, they just came as a by-product. It comes from getting more reps and becoming more comfortable at the plate.”

Adding to Fragale's positive mind-set was the fact that he had sustained success against some very good teams.

“It's great competition,” he said. “The ACC and SEC are the two best conferences. You're facing quality arms every weekend. Sometimes, you're seeing only one or two pitches you can hit per at-bat. Once pitchers realized how I was hitting this year, I wasn't seeing as many fastballs to hit.”

In his first two seasons, Coward compiled a 3-1 record in 32 games with the Hokies, but also had an ERA over seven.

“Before this season, I wasn't sure I could pitch at this level,” he said. “I showed flashes the last couple of years, but I was never consistent with it.

“Now I know I'm good enough to pitch here. The biggest change was just the confidence I have in myself.”

Coward went 2-0 as a true freshman in 2015, walking 22 batters in 27.2 innings pitched and had an ERA of 7.81. He said he learned from that experience and is glad he wasn't redshirted.

“I wouldn't have done anything differently,” he said. “When I was deciding on a college, there were other schools I was looking at that couldn't guarantee that I would play my freshman year. I came here because I knew I was going to pitch my first season.”

Like Fragale, Coward made big strides against quality opponents. He finished third on the team with 59 strikeouts.

“Until you get to the pros, I don't believe there's a better group of hitters than we have in the ACC,” he said. “From the top spot in the order down to No. 9, you can't take a break. It really makes you elevate your play.”

Coward's ERA this year was 4.75. He wants to bring it down and is hoping that adding another pitch to his arsenal will help him do that.

“Right now, I have a four-seam fastball, curveball and change-up,” he said. “I am working on a cutter and that's what I will be focusing on this summer.”

The Hokies finished 23-32 overall and missed the ACC Tournament with a 9-21 conference record.

“Off the top of my head, I can think of three ACC games we should have won,” said Coward. “It just came down to us not capitalizing on opportunities.

“A few more plays made here and there, we would have been at least .500 on the season.”