Cavaliers top Wolfpack for Sunday win

The Virginia baseball team cruised to an 8-3 win at Davenport field Sunday, barely avoiding a sweep by ACC rival North Carolina State.

The Cavaliers capitalized on uncharacteristically weak pitching by the No. 14 Wolfpack, who entered the series finale with a 2-0 lead after taking both games in a Saturday doubleheader. NC State threatened early, when Virginia junior pitcher Joe Koshansky walked Wolfpack third baseman Jeremy Dutton in the top of the first inning. Dutton was sent home promptly on first basemen Justin Riley's towering homerun to left center field, giving NC State a quick two run lead in the game.

"He just seemed to sit on that changeup," Koshansky said. "He just hit it where it was pitched. It got a little blood going so I was ready to go."

Koshansky recovered quickly, striking out the side in the top of the second, then preventing further scoring by the Wolfpack until the fifth inning.

NC State did not have the benefit of such a solid outing by their starting pitcher. The Cavaliers took advantage of a shaky effort by freshman Jason Duncan, who lasted only three innings in his first conference start. Duncan issued three walks and one strikeout before an explosive four-hit, three-run inning from Virginia got him pulled in favor of right-hander Philip Davidson in the bottom of the third.

Junior Kyle Werman, who was 3-3 on the day with two runs scored and two RBI led off the third for the Cavaliers, knocking a single through the right side, then later crossed the plate on a fielding error by NC State to give Virginia a light on the scoreboard. Koshansky and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman also scored as Virginia took a 3-2 lead by the time the Wolfpack ended the inning.

"I was glad to see Kyle, who obviously gives you a good effort all the time, have a good day at the plate," coach Dennis Womack said.

Davidson was no more successful on the mound for NC State than Duncan had been, Virginia started the bottom of the fourth with a bunt single from first basemen Eric Christensen. The Cavaliers went on to manufacture two runs off a sacrifice fly from Werman and a single from Scott Headd, with the benefit of two batters hit by Davidson to move baserunners.After centerfielder Chris Sweet also singled, NC State coach Elliot Avent made his second pitching change of the game, calling to the bullpen for right hander Nate Cretarolo to face Koshansky. Cretarolo promptly hit Koshansky with a pitch, giving the Cavaliers the third free pass of the inning and a chance to extend their lead to 5-2.

The Wolfpack answered in the top of the fourth, scoring a run to narrow Virginia's lead when outfielder Matt Camp scored on a double by NC State leadoff hitter Marc Maynor. Virginia's bats would not be silenced, however, and the Cavaliers added two more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth when Koshansky took care of his own insurance with a solo home run.

Relief pitcher Canon Hickman replaced Koshansky in the top of the seventh inning, but preserved the starter's win -- and a perfect 6-0 record on the season -- and earned a save for himself, as neither team scored in the final innings.

Sunday's win was especially sweet for Cavalier upperclassmen, who saw ACC tournament losses to NC State end their 2001 and 2002 season.

"They've had our number for the last two seasons," Koshansky said.

Despite losing the series 2-1 to the Wolfpack, Womack said his Virginia team will carry the confidence Sunday's win created into this week. The Cavaliers have a full schedule ahead of them as they face George Mason at home today and then face Virginia Tech and Wake Forest on the road.