Cavaliers Split Games in Atlanta

14 runs and 4 runs. No errors and 2 errors. 6 left on base and 15 left on base. Surrendering 8 hits in 9 innings and giving up 11 hits in a little over 7 innings.

Those numbers are the difference between winning 14-4 and losing 11-4, and so far that is the story of the weekend for UVa.

On Friday, after a long rain delay, the bats continued what they had started during the week against JMU. They mashed out 15 hits including, two home runs, two triples, and a double. There were only six runners left on base the entire game. They made no errors in the field. And Nathan Kirby had just enough to hold Georgia Tech at bay over 5.1 innings by only giving up four runs. Alec Bettinger and Tommy Doyle relieved Kirby in the 6th and shut the Yellow Jackets out the rest of the way, only allowing three hits and three walks over the final 3.2 innings.

Saturday was almost the complete opposite. Although the bats, were still hot totaling 16 hits on the day, they left 13 men on base and hit in to two double plays to end crucial innings. Connor Jones did not have his best stuff and allowed Georgia Tech to put the game pretty much out of reach before the Cavaliers had their 2nd at bat. In the first, after getting two outs and surrendering only a single, the Yellow Jackets were able to string together four singles, two walks, and take advantage of a two out E5 to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Even though the Hoos were able to put 15 more hits on the board, and work four more walks, the four runs they were able to score were just not enough, falling 11-4.

Sunday is crucial for both teams. As detailed in the weekend preview, both teams have struggled in conference this year and desperately need another series win for morale and the standings. UVa is currently 7-10 in the ACC, which ties them with Virginia Tech for fourth in the Coastal. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is just a game ahead at 8-9, and third in the division; a game behind UNC for second.

The Hoos will send Brandon Waddell to the mound and the Yellow Jackets will rely on Soph. Brandon Gold who enters the weekend with a 4-1 record and 3.13 ERA.

Should be a good one.