After a heartbreaking loss Wednesday night to No. 26 VMI, the Virginia baseball team looks to redeem itself this weekend when it hosts in-state rival Virginia Tech for a crucial ACC series at Davenport Field.
"The players are bright kids - it means a lot to them and they understand what's at stake. Not only for league play - but it's your in-state rival, so there's a lot more on it," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. "Saying that, you can't put added pressure on yourself because you just can't play this game that way."
The No. 2 Cavaliers (27-8, 10-5 ACC) cannot afford to deal with any additional pressure, given that the team already is hoping to break a cold streak. In its loss to VMI, Virginia left 10 runners stranded, loading the bases in the first and fourth innings. The squad scored its only bases-loaded run after sophomore infielder Steven Proscia was drilled with a pitch in the first inning.
Moreover, the middle of the Virginia order hit a combined 7-for-35 during its last three games against VMI and Georgia Tech, while O'Connor shuffled six arms out of the bullpen in Wednesday's loss. Junior outfielder Dan Grovatt, in particular, is in a deep slump - he has hit a combined 3-for-18 during the past five games.
"Pitchers are making tough pitches on Dan Grovatt right now. The guy's had two great years for us; he's leading us in home runs right now I think, so they're going to pitch him tough. And so we have to as players make adjustments to what people are doing to us," Obar'Connor said.
Meanwhile, No. 20 Virginia Tech (24-11, 8-7 ACC) comes into this weekend's series on an absolute confidence high, having won its last two ACC series against then-No. 4 Florida State and then-No. 14 Miami. They also defeated VMI 11-3 earlier in the season.
Given Virginia's midweek loss to VMI, the Hokies may see the weekend series as an opportunity to claim in-state superiority.
Virginia Tech possesses the fourth-highest batting average in the ACC and a few bona fide professional prospects. Junior right fielder Austin Wates leads a potent lineup with a .416 batting average and 12 stolen bases. On the pitching staff, junior pitcher Jesse Hahn stands out with a 5-2 record, 2.28 ERA and 54 strikeouts. In particular, he has clocked a fastball that cuts the air as quick as 90 miles per hour.
"I absolutely feel that they have [talent]. It's really hard to find a better arm in college baseball than Jesse Hahn - that's talent. They've got two first-round draft choices on that team in Austin Wates and Jesse Hahn," O'Connor said.
Virginia knows it cannot strand runners and squander opportunities if the team hopes to return to the College World Series, let alone beat Virginia Tech.
"[O'Connor told us] just to keep competing, learn from this game and make sure we learn from our mistakes, look forward and don't let [squandering so many opportunities] happen again," junior outfielder John Barr said.
The Cavaliers understand they will need to capitalize on crucial opportunities if they hope to build on last season's success, satisfy pre-season expectations and sustain a postseason run. The first game of the series will begin tonight at 7 p.m.
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