A six-run, two-out rally in the fourth inning proved to be the difference in an 11-3 UVA (8-5, 1-0 ACC) win over Duke (9-5, 0-1 ACC) in the opening game of a three-game ACC series at Disharoon Park.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday (March 10) beginning at noon.
The Cavaliers never trailed and scored eight of the game’s first nine runs. Virginia blew the game open in the fourth after sending 10 batters to the plate. Senior Cameron Simmons (Royersford, Pa.) got the rally started with a two-RBI single through the left side. The hit was followed up by an RBI single from Alex Tappen (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.) and a two-run double by Logan Michaels (DeForest, Wis.).
The four-hit, six-run frame made the score 8-1. It marked the eighth time this season that Virginia has scored five or more runs in an inning.
“The big rally in the fourth was a really key part of the game and it came against one of the more talented pitchers (Graeme Stinson) in our league,” head coach Brian O’Connor said. “I’m just proud of our guys, I thought our offensive approach was really good and I thought we played great defense. Tomorrow is a new day and we have to bring that kind of intensity into tomorrow’s games.”
Freshman Nic Kent (Charlottesville, Va.) put together his third-straight multi-hit effort and finished the day 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. He capped his three-hit afternoon with the team’s first triple of the season that scored a run in the bottom of the eighth. The first-year infielder has eight hits in his last 13 at bats (.615).
Simmons and Michaels each had two hits and two RBI in the victory. Seven of the nine Virginia hitters recorded a hit in the contest.
Virginia got to Stinson early, scoring the game’s first run just two batters into the game on an RBI double by Tanner Morris (Crozet, Va.) that scored Zack Gelof (Rehoboth Beach, Del.). The double was only the third hit and first extra-base hit against Stinson on the year. He came into the game without yielding a run in 12 innings. His day came to a close in the fourth, with all six runs on his line.
In that first frame, Morris and Gelof extended their reached base streaks to 13 games.
Stinson’s counterpart, Noah Murdock (Colonial Heights, Va.), allowed one earned run over 4.2 innings pitched and did not factor in the decision. The righthander struck out six batters, allowed one earned run and faced the minimum over the first 3.1 innings pitched.
Junior Paul Kosanovich (Temple City, Calif.) took over in the fourth and got the Cavaliers out of a bases loaded jam with one pitch that turned into an inning-ending, double play. He went on to pitch the next 1.2 innings and allowed one run in his second win of the season.
Senior Chesdin Harrington (Montpelier, Va.) pitched the final 2.1 innings to seal the Cavalier victory. Harrington retired the final five batters in order and has not allowed a run in his last 9.1 innings pitched.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday (March 10) beginning at noon. The second game will begin approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The two games will have themed promotions around the celebration of Super Mario Day. The first set of collectible UVA trading cards will be distributed to fans in attendance. There will be a postgame autograph session on the field and kids 12 and under can run the bases after the game.
Ticket Information
Fans who had tickets to Friday’s game that was postponed may use them for the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader or can either: (a) exchange their ticket in advance for a General Admission ticket to any other regular season game by calling the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 542-8821 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm., or (b) bring their ticket stub to the gate for General Admission seating at any remaining regular season home game, subject to seat availability at the time of arrival or (c) exchange their ticket for a General Admission ticket to a Virginia men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, or women’s soccer within the calendar year based on availability. This exchange can happen through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in advance or at the ticket window of that facility on game day.
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Chris Graham
