Virginia Baseball: Errors costly in 3-2 loss to BC

In what is now the story of the weekend for both teams, Virginia squandered a great pitching performance by Adam Haseley, essentially throwing away a chance to win in extra innings. With the game knotted at two in the bottom of the ninth, Virginia's Tommy Doyle got the first two outs before giving up a single. Pinch runner Dominic Hardaway then stole second and advanced to third when the throw from the plate went into center field. Then in gut-wrenching fashion, Tommy Doyle struck out Johnny Adams on a 3-2 pitch in the dirt. That allowed Adams to attempt to take first, and Matt Thaiss' throw went into right field allowing Hardaway to score the game winning run. That's right, Virginia lost the game on a strike out. It's the type of play that has epitomized this season for the Hoos.

Haseley was fantastic providing hope that as the season goes along the one-two punch he and Connor Jones provide can carry the Hoos. He pitched eight strong giving up two earned runs on five hits, walked three, and struck out six. The two earned runs came in the first inning, and after settling down, Haseley was virtually unhittable, retiring the last 16 batters he faced.

Not to be outdone, Boston College's Justin Dunn was sharp holding the Hoos scoreless through five, giving up only two hits. For the second game in a row, Virginia's potent offense was held to four hits, courtesy of Haseley, Ernie Clement, Pavin Smith, and Ryan Karstetter.

Virginia had a chance to take the lead in the eighth. Clement led off with a double and advanced on Matt Thaiss' ground out to second. After an intentional walk to Pavin Smith, Daniel Pinero bunted the safety squeeze attempt right back at the pitcher and the Eagles were able to throw out Clement attempting to score from third.

The two teams will face off in the rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m. With plenty of baseball left to be played, I'd stop just short of saying this is a must win. However, a series loss to a team unlikely to make the tournament is not what teams vying to make the NCAA Tournament can afford at this point in the season.