Coming off one of their best weekend performances of the year so far, the Hoos were looking to continue their hot streak and go into the exam break on a high note last night against visiting VCU. Even though VCU has been struggling this year, no midweek game is being taken lightly since their loss two weeks ago to VMI (not that they took that game lightly either).
Stud first year pitcher Branden Kline was starting his fifth game of the season and turned in his strongest start so far. Kline gave a great 6 innings of work striking out 5 and only walking 1. He allowed 4 runs on 5 hits but all of the runs and four of the five hits came in the 2nd inning with two outs. He would go on to retire the final 13 batters he faced and move his record to 4-0 in his Cavalier career. Second years Chad O'Connor, JT Thompson, and Will Roberts combined to throw the final 3 innings holding the Rams to 1 run on 2 hits.
The offense seemed to finally hit on all cylinders this past weekend in Durham and it certainly continued against the Rams. The Cavs exploded in the first with 3 runs capped off by a leadoff home run by Phil Gosselin and a triple by Jarrett Parker. As a cool side note, the Hoos hit for the cycle as a team in the first inning (Proscia singled and Hicks doubled). After going down 3-4 after the top of the 2nd, they took the lead back in the bottom of the 3rd with two runs thanks to a two run two out home run by Parker, his 3rd home run in the last 3 games. The Hoos weren't done there though as they would put up 4 more runs with hits by John Barr, Kenny Swab, Stephen Bruno, and Dan Grovatt. In the end, the Hoos would go on to win 10-5 and extend their winnings streak to 11 games, their longest of the season.
What is even cooler about their win on Tuesday is that it gives them a 40-9 record on the year. That's right, they have won 40 games before losing their 10th game of the year, the first time that has happened in program history. If the Hoos can win 5 more games before the ACC tournament they would tie the 2006 team for the most wins in a regular season.
The boys have a 10 day break for exams before returning to games next weekend against visiting UNC. As always, I will be giving updates about the Hoos and college baseball via Twitter (@STLUVaBaseball) and STL so stay tuned! WAHOOWA