Having won seven of its last nine games, the Virginia baseball team will look to continue its recent hot streak on the road at James Madison today at 3 p.m.
Beginning the season with six losses and a tie, the Cavaliers appeared to be reverting to the disappointing habits of last season, when they finished with a 21-35 record.
But the Cavs (7-8-1) have not looked back since winning their first game Feb. 26 against Bucknell.
Virginia has won seven games in 12 days, including a come-from-behind victory at Virginia Commonwealth University Monday, and finally may be turning the corner.
Cav Coach Dennis Womack attributes the team's improved play to a shift in attitudes.
"We seem to be having a better approach," Womack said. "We're playing harder."
The Cavs' defensive improvements also have had a great impact on the team's success.
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Since giving up 18 errors in their first seven winless games, the Cavaliers have stepped up their defense and cut down on errors. In the seven wins, Virginia has not committed a single error.
In the midst of their hot streak, the team's only two losses, against William & Mary and Seton Hall, have come in games in which the Cavaliers gave up three errors.
"Right now, on defense we're catching the ball pretty well on the infield," Womack said.
The Cavs nonetheless need to continue to improve in that area, especially in the outfield, Womack insisted.
"I don't think our outfield defense is where it needs to be yet. I think it can be better," he said. "We're working on it. We need to keep getting better defensively."
In addition to defending well, Virginia needs a strong showing on the mound against the hot-hitting Dukes (11-6).
JMU boasts five regular starters with batting averages over the .300 mark.
The Dukes recently swept Army in a four game series, which saw the Cadets fall 25-2, 16-6, 5-0 and 3-2.
Cav pitchers have faired well recently, giving up just over three runs per game in the past nine contests.
Confident in his team's pitching abilities, starting hurler Brandon Creswell stressed the importance of continuing strong play in other aspects of the game.
"If we just keep playing defense well and hit the ball like we can, I think we can go a long way," Creswell said.
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