The Virginia Cavaliers did something last night they have not done all season - win a night game at home. The Cavaliers (22-21) defeated the Liberty Flames (21-17-1) by a score of 5-3 at Davenport Field, thanks to seven strong innings from sophomore pitcher Canon Hickman.
"I've had a lot of trouble getting the ball across the plate," Hickman said. "So I just got it across tonight."
The Flames struck first in the top of the third inning when junior second baseman Larry York scored on an errant throw. But Virginia got that run back quickly in the bottom of the second. Senior Rob Newton was the first to score, driven in by a sacrifice fly from senior outfielder David Stone. Sophomore Matt Street drove in sophomore Kyle Werman for the second run in the half-inning.
The fourth inning saw both teams go out in order. But another error allowed Flames sophomore Erich Cloninger to tie the game up at two runs apiece.
Both teams increased their run totals to three in the sixth inning as Flames senior Marcus Maringola sacrificed in senior Steve Baker. The Cavaliers responded in the bottom half - freshman Mark Reynolds doubled to score junior Robert Word.
Hickman got three more outs in the seventh inning before calling it a night.
"Our starting pitching was very good," Virginia coach Dennis Womack said.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Cavaliers took the lead for good and tacked on an insurance run. Stone put down a sacrifice bunt that scored Werman, and Street singled to score freshmen catcher Scott Headd.
Virginia sophomore pitcher Alan Zimmerer came in to close out the game thanks to the help of double plays in the eighth and ninth innings.
"It was the first night win here ever, so that's amazing," senior infielder Dan Street said. "They're a good team to beat."
"Canon Hickman was one of the keys to the game," Womack said. "Their guy was throwing the ball well, we had to match him pitch for pitch. For us to hold them to three runs and six hits had to be a good job from the pitching staff."
Good job is an appropriate description of Hickman's effort against the potent Flames. The Flames entered the game last night batting .340 as a team with over 80 stolen bases.
"Their lineup is as good as a lot of ACC lineups," Womack said.
The Cavaliers also did a good job at the plate, where they faced Flames senior pitcher Steve Horstman, who entered the game with a 4.87 ERA.
"We got some big base hits when we needed them and from the bottom of our order," Womack said.
Virginia's win last night avenges a loss to the Flames in Lynchburg March 5, where Liberty defeated the Cavaliers 9-7.
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