The Hoos needed a big time performance from 2nd year Josh Sborz, and boy did they get it. Sborz had what has to be the best start of his career shutting out the Terps over seven full innings and holding them to only four hits. Combine that with 9 Ks (one less than his career best), and it was the Hoos game to lose from the beginning.
The offense was paced by none other than the hot hitting Kenny Towns who helped pace the Cavalier offense on Sunday. Towns went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and a stolen base. Towns' biggest hit came in the 1st inning as Towns would triple off the LF wall scoring the Cavaliers' 2nd and 3rd runs of the game. Those runs alone would be all the boys would need the rest of the game.
The offense wasn't done however as they would put up 11 runs on 13 hits to demolish the Terrapins. Surprisingly enough, all those hits and runs came with UVa's version of Ted Williams, Mike Papi, only getting a single hit in five at bats. That hit did not even come til the 8th inning as he would lace a double off the Maryland first baseman's glove to score Pinero who would be the Hoos final run.
Joe McCarthy, Brandon Downes, and Daniel Pinero added on to Towns' performance with two hits of their own. Pinero even had 2 RBI and 3 runs to go with his two hits. A beat em down in the entire regard.
After Sborz exited the game in the 8th, Austin Young came on and was the only blemish on the Cavaliers' record giving up two runs on three hits in only 2/3 of an inning.
Luckily for UVa, they have one of the finest closers in the nation with Nick Howard who came in and shut the Terps down holding them scoreless over the final four outs. The save was Howard's 20th on the season and gives him the ACC single season record.
The win also gives UVa THEIR THIRD TRIP TO THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES IN JUST SIX SEASONS! Soak it all in, Hoos fans. The ride is far from over! Let's get some more Ws and another Championship.