By Matt Jones, sports editor

Virginia Tech starting pitcher Joe Mantiply missed his scheduled start this weekend due to stiffness in his forearm.

Mantiply, the Hokies regular Friday starter in ACC play, was replaced with Eddie Campbell in the rotation on Saturday. Campbell went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out five.

Pete Hughes commented on Mantiply’s injury Saturday following Tech’s 7-5 win over Holy Cross.

“We’re shutting (Mantiply) down,” Hughes said. “He was stiff in his forearm during his outing, and he’s such a competitive kid he’s not going to tell anyone that until late the next day. He didn’t feel good before his start. We’re just going to error on the side of caution with him and get him ready for ACC.”

In his first start of the season, Mantiply went four innings and allowed four earned runs on nine hits in a no decision against Kent State. The Hokies won the game 10-9.

Mantiply had some arm problems during the 2012 season but did not miss any time. He finished the season 5-6 with a 3.53 ERA.

Following the season, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Mantiply in the 28th round. He elected to return for his senior season.

“There was talk, and it came down to the last week before the deadline and negotiations and money-wise just wasn’t there,” Mantiply said. “It wasn’t enough to take me away from my degree.”

The Danville, Va. native did not play over the summer.

“I didn’t throw, I took off and did kind of a arm care, arm strengthening program,” Mantiply said. “Just tried to get myself healthy for this season.”

Mantiply’s return is TBA at this point, forcing Hughes to give some innings to other potential starters like Campbell.

“In the mean time, it force feeds some innings to a guy like Eddie (Campbell) and maybe we can bring along his development for the year,” Hughes said.

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File 2012, SPPS