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Virginia Baseball crushes Clemson in final game of ACC Tournament

<p>Sophomore outfielder Cameron Simmons had three RBIs in Virginia's win over Clemson.&nbsp;</p>

Sophomore outfielder Cameron Simmons had three RBIs in Virginia's win over Clemson. 

The fourth-seeded Cavaliers (42-14, 18-12 ACC) played their second ACC tournament game in Louisville, Ky. Friday against the fifth-seeded Clemson Tigers (39-19, 17-13 ACC), in a matchup where Virginia was not able to advance to the next round.

The Cavaliers came off a tough loss to ninth-seeded Duke in their first matchup of the tournament. Things got out of hand for Virginia in the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Blue Devils (30-27, 12-18 ACC) put up three runs to take the lead and never looked back.

Against the Tigers, Virginia looked to bounce back before next week's NCAA tournament begins, and wanted to prove that Cavalier hitting is still dangerous after a tough loss. A win in the midday game against Clemson was vital to get back on track.

Virginia entered the noon contest at Jim Patterson Stadium starting sophomore left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch, who produced seven solid innings for Virginia and gave up just five hits and one run.

Most of the Cavaliers offensive work was done in the first inning, an eight-run inning with Virginia batting around the order. Junior centerfielder Adam Haseley singled to knock in the first run and graduate designated hitter Robbie Coman doubled to left to drive in Haseley.

In the next at-bat, sophomore outfielder Cameron Simmons stepped up to hit a long bomb, racking up three RBIs. The crazy first inning continued as junior third baseman Justin Novak doubled, followed by a double from sophomore second baseman Andy Weber to send Novak in. Junior shortstop Ernie Clement then hit Weber home, putting Virginia up 8-1.

A majority of the rest of the contest was a pitching battle, as the Cavaliers knocked one run in the bottom of the fifth and another in the eighth. Clemson was not able to break through again until a home run in the top of the ninth, once the game was well out of reach for the Tigers.

Virginia got the job done, winning 10-2, but will not have a chance at the ACC Tournament Championship.

The Cavaliers will wait until Monday’s selection show at noon on ESPN2 to find out if they will play in the NCAA Tournament. 

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