Down 3-2 in the eighth inning, the Virginia baseball team could not mount a comeback and James Madison defeated the Cavaliers in Charlottesville yesterday. Defensive miscues in the infield were largely to blame for the loss.
Neither team made a hit until Virginia senior infielder Rob Newton singled in the bottom of the third inning. Virginia (16-13, 5-4 ACC) got on the board first when freshman infielder Mark Reynolds was driven in by junior outfielder Chris Sweet.
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Virginia sophomore pitcher Joe Koshansky took a lead and no-hitter into the seventh inning.
"This has been one of my better games," Koshansky said.
Even with an early Cavalier lead, JMU (21-7, 1-1 CAA) packed a late-game offensive punch.
In the top of the seventh, with runners on second and third, JMU second baseman Mitch Rigsby hit a two-RBI single to take the lead for JMU.
JMU would tack on another run in the top of the eighth inning when junior Travis Ebaugh homered off freshman pitcher Adam Laird.
Virginia mounted a comeback attempt in the bottom of the eighth when junior Robert Word singled to score senior outfielder David Stone. But double plays at the end of the eighth and ninth innings would end the Cavaliers' scoring threats.
"I just have to focus on my next start," Koshansky said. "I have to move on and not dwell on it."
Defense seemed to be the name of the game. Virginia coach Dennis Womack praised Koshansky and Laird for their pitching despite the loss, but still voiced concern over defense.
The Cavaliers "wasted opportunities, despite pitching so well," Womack said. "Just catch and throw, no one stepped up to do what they are capable of."
The defense is "different in one-run games," Womack continued. "Everything is magnified and revolves on defense."
"Joe pitched a great game, just our defensive throws were bad," Word said.
The Cavaliers are not done with the Dukes. They will face JMU this afternoon in Harrisonburg at 3, having won only four of their last eight games.
"We've had a long weekend and this is at their place," Word said. "We lost this game ourselves, but we're going to play our game, they got to beat us. And we need to not beat ourselves."
The Dukes are one of several in-state teams the Cavaliers will play out of conference. After this series with JMU, Virginia will resume conference play against Maryland at College Park. Richmond and Virginia Tech await the Cavaliers after the Terrapins. With five losses to in-state opponents, the Cavaliers will be on edge against the Dukes today.
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