Virginia 1-0 at College World Series

Virginia vs. TCU, Tuesday 8 p.m. ESPN2

I have been MIA for a week as Holly and I took a trip to New York City for our one-year anniversary and also some friends' wedding. But I'm back now and ready to talk UVa baseball again.

The Cavaliers, as you know by now, crushed Maryland in game three of the Charlottesville Super Regional, 11-2, last Monday. On Sunday, Virginia eked out a 2-1 win over Mississippi in the 'Hoos' opening College World Series game when Mike Papi sent a two-out, 3-2 count changeup deep into right center field in the bottom of the ninth, scoring UVa pinch runner Tom Woodruff from second base. Virginia faces TCU on Tuesday evening. The Horned Frogs beat Texas Tech before UVa's game against the Rebels. The other teams in the World Series were (I say "were" because one team has been eliminated) UC Irvine, Vanderbilt,

Texas, and Louisville. On Monday, Texas beat Louisville, meaning the Cardinals are the first team out of the CWS. Before the UVa-TCU game Tuesday, Texas Tech and Mississippi play. The loser is knocked out.

Now, here is some information on the Horned Frogs:

Seed: TCU was the No. 1 seed in the Fort Worth, Texas Regional, and the No. 7 national seed

Record: 48-16, 17-7 Big 12; won the Big 12 tournament

Last 10 games: 9-1

Team batting average: .282

Batting average leaders: Garrett Crain (.329), Boomer White (.318), and Dylan Fitzgerald (.314)

RBI leaders: White (48), Kevin Cron (40), and Derek Odell (35)

HR leaders: Cron (5), White, Fitzgerald, and Jeremie Fagnan (2)

SB leaders: Cody Jones (28), White (11), and Keaton Jones (9)

Team ERA: 2.18

Opponents' batting average: .216

Expected starter: Brandon Finnegan (9-3, 2.12)
Notes: Countering Finnegan on the mound for the Cavaliers will be Brandon Waddell. Against Ole Miss, starter Nathan Kirby allowed just one hit while Artie Lewicki pitched two innings and did not give up a hit. It was the first one-hitter at the CWS since 1983.