The Virginia men's baseball team strives for perfection. Despite a solid 8-3 record on the season, Cavalier players and coaches alike are still looking for ways to improve to make the team a top contender in all of collegiate baseball.
"We need to do some little things, such as base running and offensive execution as we move into ACC games," head coach Brian O'Connor said. "We feel good."
Following one of the finest seasons in Virginia history, the Cavaliers have their work cut out for them this season. In 2004, the team placed 2nd in the ACC regular season standings and under O'Connor's direction broke several school records such as best winning percentage (.746) and most home games won in a single season (25). These impressive numbers helped earn O'Connor the 2004 ACC Coach of the Year Award.
Heightened expectations for the 2005 season and higher confidence levels from the team's 2004 success have put considerable pressure on the Cavaliers, who are looking to perfect every aspect of their game.
"If we do the little things, pitch the ball better... and execute with guys on base, I think we'll be alright," pitcher Jeff Kamrath said.
Already this season, success has been the norm for Virginia. In a three-game series against the Fordham Rams, Virginia pitched its way to consecutive victories by the respective scores of 5-0 and 13-3. Starting pitcher Mike Ballard, a junior from Virginia Beach, pitched eight shutout innings, striking out five while allowing only four hits.
"Our starting pitching has been really good," O'Conner said. "Our defense has been very good as well. We just need to a better job executing on offense."
In the last contest of the three-game series with the Fordham Rams, Virginia lost 3-2, snapping its six-game winning streak. Despite a mediocre game by the Rams, who committed four errors in the contest, Virginia could not capitalize on a ninth-inning charge. While the Cavaliers held the Rams to just four hits, their failure to convert on offense led to the loss.
O'Connor said after the game, however, "There is no reason to panic. We are 8-3."
The Cavaliers won both of their prior three-game series this season, sweeping Bucknell 3-0 and defeating UNC Wilmington two games to one. Virginia also defeated Old Dominion in a shutout victory of 8-0.
One of the main goals that the Virginia men are focusing on in the upcoming games is their ability to drive in runners in the scoring position.
"This team has a lot of talent, but we also have a lot of room to improve," Kamrath said. "We have to start focusing better and getting the little things done."
The squad plays its first ACC games this coming weekend in a three-game series against Wake Forest in Winston Salem, N.C. Prior to this weekend's games, the Cavaliers will face the Richmond Spiders in Richmond on Wednesday. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but Virginia's recent inclement weather has postponed the contest for one day.
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