Spring sports are winding down as it is somehow May (!!??1!), but there’s still more than enough action to bring you some Monday Motivation. Let’s get down to business...
Rapid Fire
-Last night 2017 power forward Francisco Badocchi announced he’d be joining the Cavaliers next season! Nicknamed “the Human Pogo Stick” he’ll bring athleticism to the front court for the Hoos.
Blessed to say that I have committed to virginia to further my academic and athletic carrier...⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/UFuF9TwJ1p
— FrancescoBadocchi23 (@frankiejones23) May 1, 2017
Talking to @frankiejones23 about his desicion, says he loves the environment of Virginia. Also likes that he can keep his # 23 with the Cavs
— Ben Prentiss (@BenPrentiss) May 1, 2017
-Oh hey Josh Sborz, what have you been up to?
#Dodgers No. 16 prospect Josh Sborz tosses 5 1/3 one-hit innings for @TulsaDrillers. https://t.co/UFYKxOfBSq pic.twitter.com/5BmQdUOuo0
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) April 30, 2017
-Keeping with baseball, the #10 Virginia Cavaliers went on the road and took the series against Florida State. Sunday, the Hoos nabbed the pivotal rubber match, blanking the ‘Noles 8-0. Virginia finished with an impressive 15-4 record in the month of April, and have now won four straight ACC series. Adam Haseley went 2-for-5 at the plate and pushed his hit streak to 13 games.
The win gives Virginia a ton of momentum heading towards the postseason. Virginia has a midweek tilt against Liberty before a nine-day break for finals.
-Although they won’t be making the postseason this year, new Virginia Men’s Lacrosse head coach has made an impact in a big way.
Lars Tiffany, @UVAMensLacrosse coach and @BeTheMatch bone marrow donor: "Give hope. Give a second chance." https://t.co/YqIywlrwsT pic.twitter.com/uQNTZl2cjE
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) April 28, 2017
-The Virginia Softball team continued their hot streak this week as they took the series win over Louisville with a 7-3 comeback win on Sunday. The victory was Virginia’s ninth ACC win, the most they’ve had since 2010. With the win, the Hoos clinched a spot in the ACC tournament, which will take place May 11-13. As the eight seed, the Hoos will face top-seeded Florida State.
CLINCHED!!! We're postseason bound for the first time since 2013!
— UVA Softball (@UVASOFTBALL) April 30, 2017
See you in Chapel Hill on May 11!
More: https://t.co/jlEssxiKpe pic.twitter.com/0hEGbqqX3O
Team of the Week
If you win an ACC championship, you are all but guaranteed Team of the Week here at Monday Motivation. For the 12th time in 14 years, the Virginia Men’s Tennis team captured the ACC tournament title. Last year, their nine-year ACC tourney winning streak was halted with a 4-3 loss to Wake Forest.
Oh sweet, sweet revenge. Sunday, behind an outstanding performance from ACC tournament MVP J.C. Aragone, the Hoos flipped the script on #1 Wake Forest and nabbed their own 4-3 victory. UVA opened the match by picking up the doubles point, and then got victories from Aragone, Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, and Collin Altamirano to secure the win.
ACC CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/FwNfoPwBIz
— Virginia Tennis (@UVAMensTennis) April 30, 2017
Virginia defeated Louisville 4-0 and North Carolina 4-3 to earn their spot in the finals. The Hoos will try to go for the NCAA title three-peat as post-season action kicks off May 12.
Wahoo of the Week
As I’ve shown before, being an alum doesn’t make you ineligible for the StLMMWotW award. So, this week the honor is going to former Virginia baseball standout Ryan Zimmerman. Zim is destroying the MLB right now, batting .420 (1st in the MLB) with 11 home runs (tied for 1st), 29 RBI (1st), and 37 hits (1st). He’s helped the Nationals to an MLB-leading 17-8 record, including at 23-5 drubbing of the Mets on Sunday.
Do not step anywhere near Ryan Zimmerman. The man is so hot he will scorch off every hair on your body.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) April 29, 2017
SPOILER ALERT: Ryan Zimmerman just set another #Nats record.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 30, 2017
Zim has the most RBI in a single month in Nationals history (29). pic.twitter.com/fSFxSFi8BF
Keep it up, Zim. You’re the best.
Go Hoos.