UVA rallied from a 3-0 eighth-inning deficit with a five-run rally punctuated by a three-run double by left fielder Kevin Doherty, and the Cavs defeated Maryland., 5-3, on Friday in Game 1 of the Charlottesville Super Regional.
Maryland broke a scoreless tie in the fifth on a two-out, two-run double by LaMonte Wade, and added an insurance run in the seventh on a suicide squeeze RBI by Kevin Biondic that scored Jose Cuas from third.
To that point, Terps starter Mike Shawaryn had been cruising, scattering five hits, and pitching out of three early-inning jams, but Virginia finally broke through, getting one-out singles by Daniel Pinero and Matt Thaiss that chased Shawaryn. Closer Kevin Mooney, entering the game with a 1.21 ERA on the season, promptly allowed back-to-back RBI singles by Kenny Towns and Pavin Smith that brought the score to 3-2.
Robbie Coman grounded back to the box for out number two around a wild pitch by Mooney that moved Towns and Smith to second and third. Mooney intentionally walked Joe McCarthy to face Doherty, who had been 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts to that stage.
Doherty ripped the first pitch from Mooney to the gap in left-center, clearing the bases and setting off a wild celebration from the raucous sell-out crowd.
UVA closer Josh Sborz relieved UVA starter Connor Jones (7-2), who gave up three runs on three hts in seven innings of work. Sborz allowed a leadoff single in the eighth to Kevin Smith, but got out of the inning without any damage, then set the Terrapins down in order in the ninth to close out the win.
Mooney (3-1) took the loss for Maryland, surrendering three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning of work.
Virginia takes a 1-0 series lead into Saturday’s Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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