Fresh off a 13-10 victory against Liberty yesterday, the Virginia baseball team (6-3) looks to continue its winning ways as it hosts Seton Hall (0-3) this weekend. The first pitch of the Saturday doubleheader is at noon. Sunday's game starts at 1 p.m.
The Cavaliers ended a two-game losing streak with yesterday's road win. Virginia broke a 10-10 tie in the top of the ninth thanks to a Doug Vroman RBI single that scored Chris Sweet. The Cavs scored twice more in the inning to push the lead to 13-10.
Relief pitcher Alexander "Shooter" Starr (1-0) picked up the victory against the Flames (5-4) after pitching two innings and allowing only one unearned run.
The Pirates are aware of the Cavaliers' potent offense. Virginia scored 24 runs in their last three games.
"They've been swinging the bat well," Seton Hall coach Rob Sheppard said. "They've been hot as of late."
The Pirates come to U.Va. Baseball Field with the bitter taste of a 0-3 weekend in their mouths. North Carolina swept Seton Hall, 7-6, 3-0, 8-7, in the Pirates' opening series.
"Seton Hall, even though they lost three games at Carolina, two of them were one run games down there," Virginia coach Dennis Womack said. "They are always tough."
A Seton Hall pitching staff that was strong last season has faltered a little this weekend. They graduated only one senior from that rotation, Damon Ponce de Leon.
That leaves senior right-hander B.J. Benik, a preseason All-Big East selection, as the rotation ace. Benik was 9-5 last year and set Seton Hall records for games started (16) and innings pitched (111.1). Seniors Mike Wren and Shawn Tarkington also are solid Pirate hurlers.
|
In the field, Seton Hall is dealing with the loss of three infielders, two to the Major League Draft. They fill that defensive void with senior Brian Leighton at first base, junior Chris Carter and freshman Santiago Chi splitting time at shortstop, and junior Todd Crawford and sophomore Joe Scott sharing duties at third. Leighton, Crawford and Scott are proven hitters. Leighton drove in 39 runs last season, Scott hit .273 in a reserve role and Crawford is a career .380 hitter.
The Pirate outfield is a mixture of youth and experience. Junior centerfielder Mike Bascom was the only player to start all 58 games for Seton Hall last year. He did not commit a single error and batted .293 with 27 stolen bases in the leadoff spot. Sophomore Casey Grimm, a .350 hitter in his freshman season, is in left field, and freshman Garrett Weir is getting a chance to prove what he can do in right field.
Read More
Lacrosse defenseman Cole Kastner announces transfer to Stanford basketball
By Michael Liebermann | 13 hours agoKastner is reviving a hoops career that has lain dormant since he graduated high school.
Virginia gets second Notre Dame rematch in a dynamic ACC Tournament bout Friday
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayThe Cavaliers will get a shot at redemption against a vaunted ACC foe, in a game with serious postseason seeding implications.
Mel Josephson and women’s lacrosse prepare to take center stage
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayJosephson's ability to perform throughout a game's biggest moments is crucial for the Cavaliers.
