UVA
Virginia's baseball season came to a disappointing end over the weekend. The Cavaliers lost back-to-back one-run games to Appalachian State and Oklahoma on Sunday to get eliminated from the Charlottesville Regional after downing Army 9-1 on Saturday in what was a good start for the Cavaliers in regional play. Virginia got down 6-0 after two innings against the Mountaineers but lost 6-5 and fell behind 4-0 to the Sooners but lost 5-4. Oklahoma lost its first game on Saturday to Appalachian State 5-4, but then won four straight games to win the regional. The Sooners beat Appalachian State twice Monday to win the title (14-6 and 5-2).
Against the Mountaineers, the Wahoos seemed to get smacked in the mouth by a spunky team and was never able to fully recover. Appalachian State's aggressiveness at the plate, paired with some early Virginia defensive miscues, spotted the Mountaineers six runs. On offense, Virginia started slowly, but chipped away at the lead inning-by-inning. Appalachian State's starter, Seth Grant, was solid in six innings of work but Virginia was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, leaving 12 runners on base in all. And Appalachian State's bullpen, which was supposed to be suspect, held up well and gave up only three hits and zero runs.
Cavaliers starter Artie Lewicki was knocked around early, but recovered to throw 4.2 innings in a gritty effort.
In Game 2, Virginia could just not figure out Oklahoma starter Dillon Overton. The Cavaliers finally chased him with one out in the ninth, but UVa managed just one more run against Kindle Ladd and lost by a single run. Shane Halley started on the mound for the Hoos and went three innings, allowing four runs on just three hits. One of those hits was a home run and another was a double. Game 2 was frustrating as well because Virginia had nine hits compared to Oklahoma's four and the Sooners committed three errors compared the Hoos' two. It was just that kind of day for Virginia.
The season ended poorly, but Virginia, as Brian O'Connor pointed out in the post game news conference, was 11-8 at one time. The Cavs started out shaky before turning it on late. They seemed to have some momentum headed into the regional but it was not meant to be. The Hoos took some confusing early losses (5-3 to Boston College in first game of the season, 4-4 tie to JMU in third game of season, 8-0 to Liberty, 5-4 to Wright State, and 5-2 to Seton Hall). Near the end of the season, however, UVa swept Miami on the road, nearly swept Georgia Tech, and shut out Florida State in the ACC tournament.
Some good news for the Hoos is that this was a very young team. Lots of players with experience will return for the 2013 season. This was a rebuilding year for the Cavs and they still hosted a regional and almost won 40 games. Keith Werman, who went out in style in his final game against Oklahoma (last two at-bats: sac bunt and RBI single), along with Justin Thompson (closer) and Shane Halley (bullpen), are seniors and have graduated. As for underclassmen, Virginia is expected to lose Friday starter Branden Kline to the MLB Draft (he was taken in second round today by the Orioles), and maybe third baseman Stephen Bruno and shortstop Chris Taylor. Otherwise, Virginia's roster is expected to remain intact.
Virginia's baseball season came to a disappointing end over the weekend. The Cavaliers lost back-to-back one-run games to Appalachian State and Oklahoma on Sunday to get eliminated from the Charlottesville Regional after downing Army 9-1 on Saturday in what was a good start for the Cavaliers in regional play. Virginia got down 6-0 after two innings against the Mountaineers but lost 6-5 and fell behind 4-0 to the Sooners but lost 5-4. Oklahoma lost its first game on Saturday to Appalachian State 5-4, but then won four straight games to win the regional. The Sooners beat Appalachian State twice Monday to win the title (14-6 and 5-2).
Against the Mountaineers, the Wahoos seemed to get smacked in the mouth by a spunky team and was never able to fully recover. Appalachian State's aggressiveness at the plate, paired with some early Virginia defensive miscues, spotted the Mountaineers six runs. On offense, Virginia started slowly, but chipped away at the lead inning-by-inning. Appalachian State's starter, Seth Grant, was solid in six innings of work but Virginia was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, leaving 12 runners on base in all. And Appalachian State's bullpen, which was supposed to be suspect, held up well and gave up only three hits and zero runs.
Cavaliers starter Artie Lewicki was knocked around early, but recovered to throw 4.2 innings in a gritty effort.
In Game 2, Virginia could just not figure out Oklahoma starter Dillon Overton. The Cavaliers finally chased him with one out in the ninth, but UVa managed just one more run against Kindle Ladd and lost by a single run. Shane Halley started on the mound for the Hoos and went three innings, allowing four runs on just three hits. One of those hits was a home run and another was a double. Game 2 was frustrating as well because Virginia had nine hits compared to Oklahoma's four and the Sooners committed three errors compared the Hoos' two. It was just that kind of day for Virginia.
The season ended poorly, but Virginia, as Brian O'Connor pointed out in the post game news conference, was 11-8 at one time. The Cavs started out shaky before turning it on late. They seemed to have some momentum headed into the regional but it was not meant to be. The Hoos took some confusing early losses (5-3 to Boston College in first game of the season, 4-4 tie to JMU in third game of season, 8-0 to Liberty, 5-4 to Wright State, and 5-2 to Seton Hall). Near the end of the season, however, UVa swept Miami on the road, nearly swept Georgia Tech, and shut out Florida State in the ACC tournament.
Some good news for the Hoos is that this was a very young team. Lots of players with experience will return for the 2013 season. This was a rebuilding year for the Cavs and they still hosted a regional and almost won 40 games. Keith Werman, who went out in style in his final game against Oklahoma (last two at-bats: sac bunt and RBI single), along with Justin Thompson (closer) and Shane Halley (bullpen), are seniors and have graduated. As for underclassmen, Virginia is expected to lose Friday starter Branden Kline to the MLB Draft (he was taken in second round today by the Orioles), and maybe third baseman Stephen Bruno and shortstop Chris Taylor. Otherwise, Virginia's roster is expected to remain intact.
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