Conventional baseball wisdom says that pitching and defense wins championships. And though the Virginia baseball team may be a step or two away from championships, they definitely are headed in the right direction.
"We have a fairly young club," coach Dennis Womack said. "It is a work in progress in terms of us improving every week. We've liked the chemistry on this team. The pitching staff is the most talented group of players we have on this team. As always, you start a season with great optimism."
The Cavaliers return 10 pitchers from last year's team (25-31, 9-15 ACC), though they did lose workhorse All-ACC pitcher Brandon Creswell, the Virginia career leader in innings pitched. The Cavaliers finished in a three-way tie for sixth last season with North Carolina and N.C. State.
"We have a well-rounded staff," senior closer Chris Marinak said. "It's big to lose a guy like Creswell, but from top to bottom it's a better staff" this year.
Senior All-ACC pitcher Dan Street will anchor the staff as well as batting cleanup and playing third base when he is not on the mound.
"Street is a two-way guy who is probably our best all-around player," Womack said. "He is an extremely valuable guy to our club and certainly the guy who gets the most notoriety."
Sophomore Jeff Kamrath seems ready to give the team a tough 1-2 punch after going seven innings without giving up an earned run Saturday against Bucknell. Marinak is one of the first pitchers out of a very deep Virginia bullpen.
"They're definitely good arms," freshman shortstop Mark Reynolds said. "It takes a load of our defense when they're striking guys out left and right."
It is not just the top of the rotation, but its depth that appeals to Womack.
"Anybody would love to have a staff that goes deep," Womack said. "For the most part, our pitching will be fairly consistent. [There will be a lot of] competition on the staff to get innings."
The Cavaliers only return four starters in the field, but are looking several players to step up this year.
Senior David Stone will be a table-setter for the Virginia offense this year. Stone, who had a 20-game hit streak last season, stole four bases against Bucknell and should become the Virginia career leader in stolen bases.
According to Womack, the most important offensive player will be junior first baseman Robert Word.
"For us to maximize our offensive potential, Robert needs to have a strong year," Womack said.
Word opened this season with a bang, driving in five runs against the Bison, and will help lead the Virginia offense.
"I'm going to do what I know I can do," Word said. "That entails hitting the ball hard and driving in runs."
Junior catcher Andrew Riesenfeld has spent the last two years backing up Jon Benick, who finished second in career homeruns and third in career RBIs. This year, Riesenfeld becomes the starting backstop, and Womack thinks he can be a valuable asset.
"He's got some real ability behind the plate and some real power," Womack said.
Reynolds will be counted on as the starting shortstop to solidify the middle infield. In his first collegiate game, Reynolds started and batted third against Bucknell. In addition to hitting a two-run double, he helped turn two double plays against the Bison.
"He has real talent offensively and defensively," Womack said. "He will start as long as he works to improve. We depend on him a lot, but we also depend on him to make adjustments and improvements."
Reynolds is one of nine Virginia freshman on the roster, which will force captains Marinak and Street to play a strong leadership role.
One of the skills the Cavaliers focused on this off-season is defense, which often is neglected in collegiate baseball.
"In the fall and winter, we stressed how important the defensive part of the game is," Womack said. "The difference between most college baseball teams is how many runs you give up, not how many the other team earns."
Marinak agreed that as a pitcher, an improved defense will be crucial.
"Last year we were last or second to last in defense in the ACC," he said. "It's a totally different feeling when you have confidence in your defense. It's not just the errors; it's making the little plays that don't go in the scorebook."
With such a strong staff, the Virginia defense can expect a lot of strikes to be hit.
"Pitching's the key to all defense," Word said. "Our pitchers are throwing strikes. Our defense has to step up."
The Cavaliers were able to get by against Bucknell despite giving up five unearned runs, but that should change once they get into ACC play. Florida State, Clemson and Wake Forest are ranked in the Top 25, and the Cavaliers were picked to finish eighth by ACC coaches.
Nevertheless, evident from beating second-seeded Clemson last year in the first round of the ACC tournament and the infusion of new talent, Virginia has an excellent chance to be a surprise team in the ACC in the newly-opened U.Va. Baseball Stadium.
"I expect us to be at the top of the ACC," Reynolds said. "All I know is winning and that's what I hope to bring to this team"
Read More
Football lands three additional transfers
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayOne common trait that stands out with this most recent batch of transfers is size.
Men’s basketball suffers road drubbing versus California
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayVirginia submitted another rudderless performance.
