UVa. baseball rips Monmouth, 18-4

The Virginia baseball team racked up 18 hits in an 18-4 victory over Monmouth Friday on an extremely windy day at Davenport Field. UVa (3-1-1) broke the game wide open with a nine-run sixth inning.

Derek Fisher (Fr., Rexmont, Pa.) went 4-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to highlight the Cavaliers’ big offensive day. Stephen Bruno (Jr., Audubon, N.J.) homered as part of a three-hit, three-RBI day, while Jared King (Sr., Radford, Va.) continued his torrid start to 2012 with a 3-for-3 performance.

Jamie Rosenkranz went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI to pace Monmouth (3-1).

Virginia starting pitcher Branden Kline (Jr., Frederick, Md.) battled through a rough start to give the Cavaliers a strong start. Kline (1-1) gave up three earned runs, six hits and three walks while striking out five in 6.1 innings. In his first college outing, Barrett O’Neill (Fr., Ashland, Mass.) tossed the final 2.2 innings to finish off the win.

Monmouth starter Pat Light (1-1) took the loss after giving up seven runs (five earned), six hits and three walks while striking out one.

With a wind nearing 30 mph blowing straight out to center field, the teams started late following a one-hour, 12-minute weather delay. Monmouth struck quickly against Kline, getting hits from its first three batters – a wind-blown triple by Josh Boyd, a double by Rosenkranz and a single from Jake Gronsky.

UVa countered with two runs in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Bruno launched a solo home run over the left-field bleachers. Mike Papi (Fr., Tunkhannock, Pa.) then reached on an error, stole second and scored on a King single.

The Cavaliers pushed across another run in the second. Fisher hit a fly ball to center which, in the strong winds, carried all the way to the base of the wall for a triple. He scored one out later on a Keith Werman (Sr., Vienna, Va.) sacrifice fly.

Virginia got some breathing room with a four-run third inning. With one out Papi reached on an error. After consecutive walks loaded the bases, Fisher was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Nate Irving (Fr., Yonkers, N.Y.) then slapped a double just inside first base and down the line to clear the bases and give UVa a 7-2 advantage.

The Cavaliers blew the game open by sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine times in the sixth inning. After the first batter was retired, UVa recorded five straight hits and the next nine batters reached base safely. Fisher had a two-run double, while Bruno picked up a pair of hits in the inning.

Monmouth tacked on a run in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Rosenkranz.

UVa added two runs on a fielder’s choice from Mitchell Shifflett (So., Midlothian, Va.) and a single by Nick Howard (Fr., Olney, Md.).

The teams will play game two of the series at 1 p.m. Saturday. Free hot chocolate and coffee will be available for all in attendance.

For the Saturday game, fans should be aware of the following parking scenario because of multiple events in the area. Parking at the Emmet/Ivy Garage will be free until 2:30 p.m. Vehicles arriving starting at 2:30 p.m. will be charged the normal fee of $5 (cash) for men’s basketball games.

Parking in the University Hall lots is free for men’s lacrosse and baseball patrons Saturday, but all lots must be vacated by 2:30 p.m. when only vehicles displaying Basketball Parking permits will be allowed in these lots. Any vehicle in the lots after 2:30 p.m. without the proper permit will be subject to ticketing and towing. Fans with the appropriate men’s basketball parking permit can use these lots as early as 10 a.m.