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I don't know what he rest of this season holds for the Hoos, but if it results in a missed tournament, this will be the weekend to look back on. Each time the Hoos pulled ahead, they let the Eagles back in it just a half inning later.
Sunday's matchup proved no different from the rest of the weekend, as both clubs got quality outings from their starting pitchers. Alec Bettinger earned the start for the Hoos and went five innings giving up one run, on three hits, with one walk, and five strike outs. Not to be outdone, Boston College starts Mike King went seven strong, giving up one run on seven hits, three walks, and six strike outs.
The teams were scoreless through three until both notched a run in the fourth. Virginia threatened in the sixth when Ernie Clement doubled to lead off the inning. After Clement stole third, Pavin Smith delivered a fly ball to right. Clement was gunned down at the plate in a play that many in attendance were surprised by the call to say the least.
That being said, the Hoos loss can't be pinned on a call at the plate, rather the fact that they had 12 hits and could only muster four runs leaving ten men on base.
Virginia had a golden opportunity to end it when they took a 4-1 lead in the tenth on Smith's three-run home run in the op of the inning. After getting out of jams in the eighth and ninth (including two strike outs on balls in the dirt), Tommy Doyle allowed the first two batters to reach in the tenth before giving way to Tyler Shambora. Shambora struck out the first batter he faced, and then hit the next loading the bases. A Michael Strem double cleared the bases and tied the game at four through ten.
After trading scoreless innings in the eleventh and twelfth, Boston College earned the victory when a hit and two walks loaded the bases, the Eagles' Scott Braren delivered the game winner, a single to right.
The loss takes Virginia to 7-8 on the season in ACC play. Through 15 games last year, the Hoos were 6-9, and through 18 games they were 7-11, so there is still a lot of baseball to be played. It starts next week with a crucial series with at home against UNC who stands at 8-7 in conference play. Friday's first pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m.