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Coming into the weekend, Hartford featured the best record among the three teams the Hoos were going to face. They were 2-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of another ACC team.
Well, the Cavaliers showed they weren't scared of the Hawks, thanks in large part to a solid offensive effort and stellar pitching.
Nathan Kirby continued his 2015 Pitcher of the Year campaign for the third straight weekend. Kirby struck out ten over six shutout innings and held Hartford to just five hits. Kirby moved his record to 3-0 on the year and 0.49 ERA. The lone blemish is Kirby's 8 BB over 18.1 innings. It is not a terrible stat, because it ultimately only matters if the runner scores, but Coach Kuhn can't be pleased with that many walks in so little time. Kirby will need to get those numbers down once ACC play begins and the level of competition goes up.
Second year Alec Bettinger relieved Kirby in the 7th and went the rest of the distance for the Hoos holding Hartford to a run on four hits and no walks. Bettinger was even able to strike out five while earning his first save of the season.
At the plate, the top half of the lineup took care of business, while the back half was kind of just there for the ride. The top five had all six of the UVa hits, all five of the UVa runs, and all five of the UVa RBI.
Pavin Smith showed why he might be the most valuable first year since Danny Hultzen by going 2-4 with an RBI and run scored. Smith is now batting .452 on the season and slugging .788! He's got just as many doubles as he has singles and walks!
UVa returns to the field tomorrow afternoon against Seton Hall. The Hoos will send Connor Jones to the mound to try and stay undefeated on the season.