Tuesday evening at Charlotte, Virginia baseball was shut out 14-0 and recorded just two hits in the game. Coach Chris Pollard responded by offering a similar message to what he presented after the team’s one other loss this season — the next game is an opportunity to respond to adversity.
Wednesday evening, the Cavaliers (11-2, 0-0 ACC) and the 49ers (8-4, 0-0 American) rematched at a neutral site in Kannapolis, N.C. to a different result. This time, Virginia responded to its previous embarrassment and got back to business as usual thanks to a stellar first inning at the plate.
“Thought it was important for us to have a really big response today,” Pollard said. “We did. I'm really proud of our team.”
The Cavaliers surpassed Tuesday’s hit total after just two batters — and took a 4-0 lead after the top of the first inning in which the entire starting lineup recorded a plate appearance.
That early four-run lead was more than enough to right the ship. Virginia departed Atrium Health Ballpark with an 8-1 win.
A clean outing by the pitching staff was essential — and the Cavalier arms largely delivered. Freshman Jayden Stroman allowed Charlotte’s only run off of a wild pitch, but the 49ers did not score for the rest of the evening.
The stellar showing was driven by freshmen Noah Yoder and Christian Lucarelli, plus graduates Lucas Hartman and Tyler Kapa. Each member of that relief quartet boasts an earned run average under 2.0, a mark of high-quality bullpen performances.
“I thought our pitchers threw the ball exceptionally well today,” Pollard said. “We didn't [over]extend anybody. All those guys will be hot and live for the weekend.”
The pitching staff did its part to make up for Tuesday’s 14-0 loss. Virginia’s sluggers had a bounce back game too.
The Cavaliers built their early scoring surge quickly — loading the bases via a leadoff double from junior shortstop Eric Becker, a walk from junior outfielder AJ Gracia and a single from junior second baseman Joe Tiroly. With the bases full, junior first baseman Sam Harris opened up the scoring by slicing a RBI single.
A strikeout and sacrifice fly dampened Virginia’s hot start but junior utilityman Antonio Perrotta added on another pair of runs with a RBI single of his own. Becker almost earned a second at-bat in the inning before freshman catcher Thomas O’Connell struck out to end the top of the first.
The Cavaliers were not done scoring, though. Becker doubled and Gracia singled in the top of the fourth inning, setting up a RBI sacrifice fly by Tiroly. Later in the eighth, Tiroly added another RBI by ripping a single to drive in Gracia once more for a 6-1 lead.
With the game’s result comfortably secure, sophomore outfielder Zach Jackson got in on the fun with an RBI single of his own. Then, on a crazy double steal, Jackson drew Charlotte’s attention which opened up a clear path for sophomore infielder Noah Murray to steal home.
That stolen run was the final addition to the scoreboard. Virginia’s 8-1 lead did not change, but the road ahead will.
Now, Virginia begins the marathon of ACC play, starting with a weekend series at No. 8 North Carolina beginning Friday at 4 p.m. The Tar Heels are the first Power Four opponent the Cavaliers face this season. They are also the first ranked opponent Virginia faces this year.
The Cavaliers have not played North Carolina since a walkoff defeat in the 2024 College World Series. Before that, Virginia’s last trip to Chapel Hill, N.C. came in the 2023 season.
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