The Cavaliers took care of business again yesterday in a rain-shortened matchup with the Georgetown Hoyas. The teams were only able to complete five innings before the heavens opened up on Davenport Field. Even though the game was only five innings, it counts as an official game and gives the Cavaliers their 32nd win and 10th shutout of the year.
The 10th shutout now puts them one away from tying the UVa and ACC record. The current record holders are the 2007 UVa team and the 1977 Clemson Tigers squad. With six midweek games and 15 ACC games left on the regular season schedule I anticipate the 2011 Virginia Cavalier baseball team to hold the record before the ACC tournament begins.
Will Roberts had another outstanding midweek start, pitching all five innings while striking out six and only giving up two hits. Roberts improved his record to 7-0 on the season and lowered his team and Conference leading ERA to 0.87. The most impressive stat of the night came in the 5th as Will tied Sean Doolittle's 2005 season with 26 straight scoreless inning streak. Whether it be Sunday against Duke or next Tuesday against Radford, Roberts should pass Doolittle after the first inning.
The offense didn't have too much of a challenge with the rain as they were able to secure a lead for the 'Hoos in the first inning. Leadoff man Chris Taylor got on via a HBP and was moved to 2nd on a productive groundout from John Barr. The Georgetown pitcher and catcher did the rest of the work for UVa as a wild pitch and a passed ball scored Taylor to give the 'Hoos an early 1-0 lead.
3rd year Steven Proscia provided the thunder for the Cavaliers before the lightning from the clouds show up. Proscia went 3-3 on the day and included a three run home run in the third to give UVa a secure 4-0 lead. The home run was Proscia's third on the year and supplied his 35th, 36th, and 37th RBIs on the year. Those 37 RBIs mixed with the 123 RBIs he had his first and second years put him at 5th all time in career RBIs at UVa. The previously mentioned Sean Doolittle owns the record with 167. As with Doc's other records, this RBI record shall most certainly fall sometime soon.
The 'Hoos return to the field tonight to take on the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina. To put it bluntly, I hate Coastal Carolina. They aren't nearly as impressive as they have been in previous years, but are still 21-11. Usual Sunday starter Cody Winiarski will be on the bump for the Hoos and will look to lead them to their 33rd victory of the year. I won't be able to supply updates but hopefully STL's Lord and Creator @TheUVAFool can. And, as always, GO HOOOOOOOOSSSS