It wasn't pretty, but every now and then you have to win a few games that are ugly. Yesterday for the UVa boy's was definitely one of those games. Luckily the Hoos were able to pull out a win in the eleventh inning thanks to Mitchell Shifflett and Nate Irving coming through in the clutch with singles.
Kyle Crockett got the nod for the start and was superb. The second year did not issue a walk over five innings. He left the game before the sixth inning having only given up one run on three hits while he struck out eight. Unfortunately, he left the game at a 1-1 tie. Nick Howard and Austin Young relieved Crockett and held Radford to one run and three hits over the next 3.1 innings. Justin Thompson came on at the end and showed why he is one of the leaders on the team. The fourth year shutout Radford over the final 2.2 innings and only allowed two hits to earn his third win of the season.
Offensively the Hoos had a fairly impressive game. They were able to knock out ten hits on the game but were only able to eek out three runs in eleven innings. Irving had the best offensive night of his young UVa career with four hits in five of his at bats and had the game winning RBI. Fellow first year Brandon Cogswell added to Irving with two hits and a run scored of his own.
The ten hits is impressive production in one game but the ten left on base that the boys had is unacceptable. I will never be one to critique the team for not getting enough hits, but it seems this team was getting more than enough last night. Ten left on base can fly and get it done (barely) against Radford, but it just won't get the job done come tournament time.
The Hoos travel to Richmond tonight to take on the VCU Rams at the annual fundraiser for VCU. I am fairly certain the UVa-VCU game at the Diamond has set records attendance-wise for the Rams over the last three years. Fourth year RHP Shane Halley will take the mound for the Hoos. Expect another close game but look for the Cavaliers to squeak out the victory before the travel to Miami this weekend (gulp!).