After corralling the Bucknell Bison this past weekend, the Virginia baseball team prepares to welcome the Old Dominion Monarchs to Davenport Field this afternoon. The in-state rival Monarchs handed Virginia the second of its two losses in this young season, rallying from an early 6-1 deficit to defeat the visiting Cavaliers 9-6 last Wednesday in Norfolk.
Despite the disappointing loss, the team is upbeat about the chance to exact some revenge on the Monarchs.
Given the relative inexperience of the Cavaliers' pitching staff, the team expected a few early-season setbacks like last week's against ODU. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman pointed out one of the best ways to help out the young pitchers.
"We need to keep scoring runs when we get chances," Zimmerman said. "[Against ODU last week] we had a lot of chances to tack onto the lead and did not really do it and let them hang around."
The Cavaliers used that strategy in the second game of last Saturday's double-header against Bucknell, as the offense did not relent until they established a 10-run lead in a 13-3 victory. Such a strong offensive performance leaves the team confident that they can overcome any problems the pitchers have early in the season.
"You have to expect growing pains with the young guys," Zimmerman said. "But we'd rather have that happen in the fourth game than in the 55th game, so it's really not that big of a deal."
One thing that will provide confidence for Virginia's pitchers is the team's stellar defense as of late. Despite a tough February sun that frustrated the Bucknell fielders all weekend, the Cavaliers made it through the weekend series without committing an error. Head coach Brian O'Connor praised his team's performance.
"We take a lot of pride in our defense," O'Connor said. "We know that we play really top-notch, consistent defense."
By cutting down on the defensive miscues, the young pitchers will not feel the need to strikeout everyone and can instead let their defense do the work.
"If we pitch and throw strikes, we're going to have a chance to win every ball game that we're in," O'Connor said.
The Cavaliers have been throwing plenty of strikes lately, riding the recent strong pitching performances throughout the current three-game winning streak. Mike Ballard had a strong outing in the opening game of the Bucknell series, continuing his strong start since coming back from the elbow surgery that cost him the 2004 season.
In the double header on Saturday, Matt Avery came within one out of pitching a complete game shutout in the first contest. Avery managed eight-plus scoreless innings and recorded his first win of the season. In the second game, Jeff Kamrath took advantage of the 13 runs scored by the offense and pushed his record to 2-0.
Virginia will look to continue the strong hitting, fielding and pitching that led to victories in the first three games of the current seven-game home stand. Despite the recent success, the team still looks to host Old Dominion and, this time, finish off the Monarchs.
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