Since the most recent edition of Wahoo Wanderings, the baseball team has done a good job of positioning itself to earn a berth to the NCAA tournament.
After taking two of three games at Virginia Tech this past weekend, the Cavaliers stand 22-20 overall and 13-17 in the ACC. Virginia has defeated Tech in five straight series. The weekend before, the Wahoos took two of three at home versus Duke. And in the middle of last week, UVa trailed Liberty 5-0 in Charlottesville before storming back for a 6-5 victory.
Virginia has won four of its past five ACC series and five of its past seven games after losing three contests in a row. Virginia Tech led the Coastal Division for much of the early part of the season, but it has now lost its past three ACC series and is 23-17 and 16-14 in the conference, third in the Coastal behind Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. Despite recent success, Virginia is still sixth, ahead of only Duke. Miami is fourth and North Carolina fifth. But UVa's RPI surged to 37th nationally after the series win over the Hokies. Before traveling to Blacksburg, the Wahoos' RPI was 50. Remaining in the top 40ish would point toward a positive decision when it comes to their NCAA tournament fate.
On Friday night in the opener, Virginia erupted for an 18-1 win, quite the display for a team that still ranks 10th in runs in the ACC after the weekend. The Hokies actually led 1-0 through four innings before UVa piled on seven runs in the fifth inning and then five each in the seventh and eighth. It was the largest margin of victory for either team in the rivalry's 122-year history.
Photo: Nic Kent (4) prepares to get mobbed by his teammates after his homer Friday night. (Dave Knachel/VT Athletics)
Kyle Teel went 2 for 6 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer. Nick Kent went 2 for 5 with four RBIs, including a a solo homer in the fifth that tied the game at 1 and started the Cavalanche. Devin Ortiz (3 for 4), Max Cotier (3 for 6), and Jake Geloff (3 for 6) each had two RBIs.
Though Virginia racked up 17 hits, Andrew Abbott was on fire on the mound, too. The senior worked seven innings, giving up one run (not earned) on four hits while striking out eight. He didn't issue any walks. He was named ACC pitcher of the week for his efforts.
On Saturday, Tech evened the series with a 6-3 win, though the Hokies built a 6-0 lead before giving up one run each in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, setting up the Cavaliers' success in Sunday's rubber match.
On Sunday, just like Friday, Virginia Tech captured an early 1-0 lead but it didn't last, with the 'Hoos scoring two runs in the second on their way to a 6-1 victory. UVa also scored two runs in the fifth and put up a run each in the seventh and eighth.
Ortiz and Teel hit back-to-back solo homers to get the Cavaliers started in the second inning. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Brendan Rivoli went 2 for 5 with two RBIs.
Starting pitcher Nate Savino had a great outing, allowing six hits and one earned run over seven innings. The sophomore struck out a pair and didn't issue any walks.
Next up, UVa hosts VCU in a rematch today at 6 p.m. The Rams defeated the 'Hoos 5-3 on April 20 in Richmond, after Virginia lost two of three to Louisville. VCU is 27-14 and ranked No. 43 RPI, so this is a big game for both teams. Hopefully Virginia can keep its momentum going.
This coming weekend, the Cavaliers are off, and then they finish up their regular-season schedule by hosting Wake Forest for three games and traveling to Boston College for three games. The Demon Deacons (15-22, 7-19) and Eagles (19-22, 8-19) bring up the rear of the ACC Atlantic standings, meaning those series will be great opportunities for Virginia to pile up some wins, but on the other hand, losses would not look too good. UVa needs to at least win those series, I think, to feel good about its NCAA chances going into the ACC tournament, which will be in Charlotte from May 25-30.
Men's tennis: No. 6 Virginia completed the ACC sweep, taking the tournament championship after winning the regular-season title. The Cavaliers took down No. 4 North Carolina in the finals 4-3 on April 25 in Rome, Ga., to claim the crown. Virginia has won 13 ACC tourney titles, but this was its first under fourth-year coach Andres Pedroso and first since 2017.
Iñaki Montes clinched the victory for the Cavaliers when he defeated Simon Soendergaard, 6-2, 6-4. The Tar Heels won the doubles point, meaning Virginia took four of six singles matches to win.
Carl Söderlund was named tournament MVP, and also ACC player of the year for the second season in a row (no award was given in 2020). Pedroso was named coach of the year, also a repeat of 2019.
Virginia is 21-2 and on Monday, the NCAA tournament bracket was released. The 'Hoos earned the No. 5 seed. They'll host Fairleigh Dickinson (6-4) in the first round Saturday at 1 p.m.
Women's soccer: Usually the soccer season runs alongside football season in the fall. This year, it was spread across the fall and spring. The Cavaliers lost to UNC in November in the ACC tournament semifinals.
In the spring season, UVa played four games -- including a loss and a tie in a home-and-home series with No. 5 West Virginia -- before earning a berth into the NCAA tournament, though the Wahoos did not get a national seed. In the first round, the 'Hoos defeated Southern Illinois Edwardsville, 3-1, in Cary, N.C., on April 28. And then on Saturday, Virginia upset No. 12 seed BYU, 2-0, also in Cary. Next up, UVa (12-4-2) faces Rice (14-2-1) in the Sweet 16 in Cary on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
Men's lacrosse: The No. 5 Wahoos dropped their regular-season finale to No. 11 Syracuse, 13-11, in Charlottesville on April 24. It was a better showing than their 20-10 loss in Syracuse earlier this season, but still a disappointing result. The Orange led 7-2 early, but late in the third quarter, Virginia had drawn to within 9-8. The 'Hoos almost tied the match twice, but Charlie Bertrand had a shot that hit the frame of the goal, and then Syracuse goalie Drake Porter stopped an attempt by Peter Garno.
Virginia completed the regular season at 10-4 and 2-4 in the ACC. The Cavaliers await their NCAA tournament first-round opponent and location; the selection show is Sunday at 9 p.m.
Women's tennis: The Cavaliers bowed out in the ACC tournament semifinals, losing 4-1 to UNC on April 24 in Rome, Ga. But on Monday, they received the No. 14 seed in the NCAA tournament. Virginia (14-6) will host undefeated LIU-Brooklyn (9-0) in the first round Friday at 3 p.m.
Women's lacrosse: No. 23 Virginia fell to Boston College, 16-12, in the ACC tournament quarterfinals in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Cavaliers are 8-8 and await their NCAA tournament destination, which will be announced Sunday.
Men's golf: UVa finished seventh at the ACC championships in Alpharetta, Ga. The Cavaliers await their NCAA regional destination, which will be announced Wednesday.
Women's golf: Virginia is the No. 3 seed out of 18 teams at the NCAA regional in Columbus, Ohio. The event takes place May 10-12. There are four NCAA regionals, all with 18 teams. The top six teams at each regional will then advance to the NCAA championships, which take place in Scottsdale, Ariz., on May 21-26.
Comments
Post a Comment