For those who have not followed Virginia baseball this season, 2025 can be summarized pretty easily. The team was ranked No. 2 in the national preseason poll, proceeded to stumble into a heinously long absence from the rankings entirely and was on the verge of missing the postseason for the first time since 2019. Now, things have changed.
After doubts were cast, the Cavaliers had to prove whether they could be that team once ranked No. 2, or the team that was average at best. Well, since April 16, the Cavaliers are 10-1. That is a resounding answer. A postseason appearance is now back on the table, as this squad has climbed back into the top 60 teams in the national rating percentage index.
Virginia has won six games in a row, including a sweep against Miami this weekend. As a result, the Cavaliers have ascended back into the top eight in the ACC rankings, which would grant them a first round bye in the ACC Tournament when placement is announced next week. That matters, as the conference is extremely challenging, and any slight boost would provide great dividends.
But that hot streak extends beyond the win column. A significant subplot of the season has been that stars drastically underperformed. That too, is changing — much to the chagrin of ACC rivals. Graduate catcher Jacob Ference has completely turned his season around. He lost his starting job to junior Trey Wells for a moment earlier this year but has rebounded nicely to the tune of a .328 batting average. Also on the up-and-up is junior outfielder Harrison Didawick, who was previously hitting under .200 but was essential in this weekend’s sweep with timely home runs.
Now that this pair of stars is returning to form, Virginia is capable of going run-for-run with just about any offense in the country. However, that only goes so far without reliable pitching, which is something that the Cavaliers have lacked for almost the entire season. But now, like most aspects of this team, significant improvement has been demonstrated.
When it comes to pitching, everything begins with senior right-hander Jay Woolfolk. As the Friday starter, Woolfolk is expected to not just hold down the fort but to play a leading role in securing the victory in a series opener. Friday against Miami, Woolfolk threw his first scoreless outing of 2025 against a team that averaged nearly seven runs per game. If Woolfolk can keep that up, then Virginia’s ceiling grows exponentially.
While the entire pitching staff still struggles with inconsistency, all it takes is a handful of reliable arms with positive momentum to carry the load and snag a victory. The Cavaliers have talented pitchers — the issue is that said talented pitchers have underperformed. The diagnosis is up for debate, but frankly does not matter as long as the pitching staff gets the job done. This weekend, they got the job done.
Yet, it has taken a miraculous surge for the Cavaliers to exit the depths of mediocrity. This is not familiar territory for a team that has reached the College World Series thrice in the past four years. But there is an argument to be made that Virginia has been strengthened by its trials and tribulations.
In years past, the Cavaliers have flamed out at the finish line in heartbreaking fashion. In 2023 and 2024, Virginia was booted from the College World Series by self-inflicted errors. In both campaigns, the team was consistently strong. This year, the Cavaliers have found just about every possible way to lose. They have been battle-tested. They have had to struggle, find resilience and are now on a hot streak hotter than the sun itself. That will translate very well to postseason play.
It remains to be seen whether or not Virginia can make a third straight College World Series appearance, but the Cavaliers should at least have a chance. Sweeping Miami means that an NCAA Tournament berth is increasingly likely — especially if Virginia can beat George Mason Tuesday and sweep Virginia Tech this upcoming weekend.
A lot remains up in the air. How will the Cavaliers perform in the ACC Tournament? Which regional would they be assigned to, if they make one at all? Those questions will be answered in due time. For now, though, the Virginia faithful can smile at the fact that their Cavaliers — the ones they expected to see heading into 2025 — are here to play. And if they keep rolling, they might just grind their way to a deep postseason run after all.
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