The Cavaliers went into the weekend knowing that they had to prove something to the rest of college baseball(ok, mainly just those darn LSU fans who think LSU should just be crowned champions now). Come Saturday night, after 9 innings of baseball, the baseball world could rest assured that the University of Virginia Cavalier baseball program was legit(if they didnt already know).
If you have been following the Cavalier baseball program for a few years, you know that Friday night was the quintessential UVa baseball game. Superb pitching, solid hitting, and high-quality fielding that lead to a 6-0 win over the previously unbeaten FSU Seminoles. Danny Hultzen pitched possibly his best game as a Hoo going 6 innings while only giving up 2 hits, issuing no walks, and striking out 6. Yea......if you havent seen this kid pitch yet you need to. He will more than likely set the UVa career wins this year or early next and will surely be drafted in the first round if he can keep this up. On the offensive side the Cavs were lead by someone who will likely be drafted pretty high this year, Dan Grovatt. Grovatt stuck in to the Seminoles the same way he did last year in the ACC Championship game by going 4-5 with 3 RBIs including.......wait for it......2 HOME RUNS.
Saturday we struggled a bit more but had the other kind of UVa baseball victory. On the mound, all but one of the pitchers gave up a run as Morey was only able to go 5 innings giving up 3 earned runs and 5 runs total. Whit Mayberry and Dan Grovatt came into pitch after Morey. Through 8 innings, the offense had only produced 3 runs and were down 8-3 going into the 9th inning. Thats where things got interesting.....over the last 3 outs of the game the Hoos were able to score 6 runs off of 4 FSU relievers. Thats right, it took 4 FSU PITCHERS TO GET 3 OUTS..WAHOOWA. Also, if none of this surprises you, then this wont either: the hero of the game was 2nd year Keith Werman Hoo's hit in the 9th inning gave them the lead. Arico came on and got his 5th save of the year.
Sunday, things were a bit more disappointing than Cavs fans were used to so far this year. In a hard fought game that saw the lead change three times, the Hoos came up on the short end after FSU infielder Tyler Holt hit a home run in the 9th to give the 'Noles the final lead of the game. As Holt rounded the bases I think someone told him that UVa would still be ranked #1 this week because he held his finger up in recognition for the Hoos....Thanks Tyler! As for the real reason he did it I am pretty sure I can speak for all the UVa fans out there when I remind Tyler how he did last year in the ACC Championship game(0-5 with 3 K's), you had just lost the series, and you were stealing a victory on Sunday. Tyler.......youre a tool.
I predicted that we would lose two games. However, what I did say was that we would win Friday and lose Sunday with the Saturday game deciding who would take the series so I give myself a B on the predictions for the weekend. I am certainly glad to be wrong and happy for my boys.
This week we host William and Mary on Tuesday and make up the game vs. JMU on Wednesday. Both victories although the W&M game will probably be a bit closer than we would like. They are pretty good.
As for the rankings this week, we maintained our #1 ranking in the most important two polls: Baseball America and Rivals and improved in the other polls thanks to LSU losing two of three at home to......KANSAS UNIVERSITY. Yea, the Jayhawks. Try and justify a #1 ranking now bayou bengal fans. Although, from what I have seen, they still are.....how sad