Trying to guess how the Virginia baseball team will fare this season is a difficult task at best. The Cavs still are trying to come together as a team and trying to get comfortable with the new lineup.
Virginia Coach Dennis Womack enters his 19th season orchestrating the Cavalier baseball squad. Womack has compiled an overall record of 489-486-6 at the helm of the Virginia program.
Last weekend the Cavs (0-3) kicked off their season, but in disappointing fashion, as SEC powerhouse LSU beat Virginia in each of their three games. Today at 3 p.m., the Cavaliers open their home slate against Old Dominion.
"We're still looking for that team chemistry," Womack said. "Sometimes it takes a little while to get your team meshed together."
Virginia was pegged in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll to finish sixth in the Conference this season behind perennial powers Florida State and Georgia Tech.
"I hope we can move up in the ACC rankings," Womack said. "We obviously want to finish higher than sixth in the ACC."
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Womack is depending on third-year left-handed pitcher Brandon Creswell to work his magic on the mound. Backing up Creswell will be third-year left-hander Jon Metzger and first-year righty Doug Vroman.
Creswell will be throwing to one of two third-year catchers: Jon Benick or Mark Rueffert. Benick batted .384 last season and led Virginia in batting average. He also led the team with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.
| Virginia Men's Baseball | |
| 2000 Starting Lineup | |
| C Mark Rueffert (R) / Jon Benick (S) | |
| 1B David Stone (L) | |
| 2B Luis Giraldo (R) / Dan Street (R) | |
| 3B Hunter Wyant (S) | |
| SS Tim LaVigne (R) | |
| LF Ryan Kalamaya (R) | |
| CF Robbie Marvin (S) | |
| RF Ben Himes (L) | |
| Pitchers: | |
| 1 Brandon Creswell (LHP) | |
| 2 Jon Metzger (LHP) | |
| 3 Doug Vroman (probable) (RHP) | |
| CL Tim LaVigne (closer) (RHP) |
Whichever catcher is not in the lineup most likely will be assigned the role of designated hitter.
Second year David Stone earns the starting position at first base, although Benick also will see time at first.
No clear front runner at second base has emerged from preseason practice, so both co-captain Luis Giraldo and Dan Street will be splitting time there. Street's consistent hitting might move him into the starting lineup above Giraldo, who also could see time at third.
"We need to work on molding together as a team more," Giraldo said. "A lot of the new guys have a good approach to the game; they're competitive, don't seem too nervous, and they are confident."
Elevated by outstanding play in the fall, third year Hunter Wyant will start at second base for the Cavs and bat second in the lineup.
Fourth-year co-captain Tim LaVigne will fill the crucial shortstop position as well as bring needed leadership to the team.
"I've got a big role and I know it," LaVigne said. "I think this is the best lineup we've had in a couple of years. Everything is going to start clicking, and we'll be fine once we get some practice."
Second year Ryan Kalamaya will fill the leftfield position, but first year Grant Mayer will challenge him for time. Fourth year Robbie Marvin will get the nod to start in center, while first year Ben Himes will round out the outfield in right.
With this young lineup, "we are still looking for some guys on the team to step up and give us a little more leadership," Womack said. "In terms of what's going on in the ACC, it's gonna be another really good year"
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