After a weekend against the NC St Wolfpack that terrified all the fair-weather UVA Baseball fans that are new the college baseball scene, the Hoos got back on track and put on a great performance at home for the Cavalier faithful. The fellow top-5 ranked Yellow Jacket baseball program came to Charlottesville hoping to cement themselves as one of, if not, the top team in the nation. The Cavs were having none of it.
On Friday the Hoos faced arguably the top draft-eligible pitcher in the nation in Deck McGuire. McGuire was able to start out hot and held the Hoos to only 3 runs over the first six innings. The 6th inning however was the difference in the ball game as the Hoos touched up Deck for 3 runs and reliever Jake Davies for another run as they were able take the lead at 7-4 and didn't relinquish it for the rest of the ballgame. Your boy Danny Hultzen didn't have his greatest game but was able to work his stuff for 7 strong innings and only have one hiccup in the 5th inning where he gave up a pair of home runs for 4 earned runs. Arico was able to close out the game in the 9th to earn his 11th save on the season. He only needs 3 more tie the single-season saves record with former Cavalier greats Michael Schwimer and Casey Lambert
Saturday the Jackets were able to flex some more of their muscle and show why they are one of the greatest hitting teams in the country. After jumping out to a 5-0 lead the Jackets fought back and scored 9 unanswered runs; 7 of them earned by Virginia starting pitcher Robert Morey. The Hoos scored two more but couldn't finish off the comeback and fell 9-7 to even the series.
Sunday showed the hard-nosed attitude that I told you all about on Friday and what would be the difference in this series. After losing the game on Saturday one might expect another letdown game. Don't expect that from this team or program. UVA jumped out to a 3 run lead and never looked back. Everyone's favorite 3rd year, Phil Gosselin had another All-American day where he went 2-4 with 3 RBI's and a run. Cody Winiarski had another great start and is looking stronger with every start he has. He was able to go five and a third inning and only gave up 1 run on five hits. Tyler Wilson and Kevin Arico came in and shut down the game to give the Hoos the win, the series, and bragging rights over the prissy Yellow Jackets for another year.
The series win was predicted by myself of course on Friday which means I keep my great prediction record and only have 3 incorrect predictions on the year. I am 31/34 which gives me a gaudy .912 prediction percentage. Man, I wish the MGM had a college baseball section to their book.
This week the Hoos have to travel to Lexington to take on the Keydets. The crowd will probably break the attendance record that was set 3 years ago when we went to Lexington and blew a game. I don't see that happening again this year. With only one game this week, all the pitchers will be at the ready and I don't think anyone will get the game off so the Hoos should take care of the Keydets.