Initially, Virginia players and coaches touted their ball club's defense and pitching staff, hardly pausing to take note of their offensive potential. Yesterday, the Cavaliers proved they can be a potent force at the plate. Following Tuesday's 12-5 win over No. 25 UNC-Greensboro, the Cavaliers took yesterday's game, 14-6, to sweep the series.
Virginia's junior southpaw Joe Koshansky took the mound for the Cavaliers, looking for his third win of the season. Koshansky had a rough first inning as the Spartans jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the first. However, he quickly regained his composure and went on to hold the Spartans scoreless for the next five innings.
"I had to get into a rhythm and loosen up," Koshansky said. "I had to find my location a little bit, but that happens sometimes. You have to adjust as you go."
Virginia quickly answered, their bats coming alive in the third inning. The Cavaliers sent all nine batters to the plate, as they strung together seven singles, scoring five runs.
"Coaches get nervous when the other team starts closing the gap," Virginia head coach Dennis Womack said. "What we've been doing offensively is we've had lots of good at bats where we have answered."
Virginia increased their lead by another run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Cavaliers saved the real offensive fireworks for the sixth. Sophomore catcher Scott Headd led off the sixth with a double to right center field. Freshmen infielder Matt Dunn eventually reached base on a fielder's choice and then stole second. The Cavaliers couldn't have asked for a better situation, as their star hitter, sophomore infielder Mark Reynolds, stepped up to the plate with two runners in scoring position. Reynolds didn't fail to please. He scorched the ball, sending a line drive over the right field wall and extending Virginia's lead to seven.
Reynolds' batting "is pretty hot right now," Womack said. "He's been catching some pretty good cuts. He'll say they're not perfect, but the whole team is really hitting well."
The Spartans launched a small comeback in the top of the seventh, jumping all over sophomore southpaw Scott Morgenthaler, scoring three runs. However, junior left-hander Alan Zimmerer came in and quickly shut the door on UNC-Greensboro's seventh inning rally.
The Cavaliers put three runs on the board in the bottom of the inning. After pitching six excellent innings, Koshansky moved to first base and got the opportunity to make an impact at the plate. The transition paid off, as he tripled down the right field line, scoring two.
"I love to hit," Koshansky said. "It's a great opportunity to be able to pitch and play first base."
The Spartans pushed their run total to six by scoring a run in the eighth. Once again, however, the Cavaliers answered back, with two runs of their own in the eighth. Junior right-handed pitcher Canon Hickman took the mound in the ninth inning and sealed the win for Virginia. With the victory, the Cavalier's extended their winning streak to seven games.
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