The Virginia Cavaliers (31-9, 11-7 ACC) look to extend their winning streak to seven games against VMI today. However, they will be hard-pressed to find as exciting a game as they found Sunday.
Virginia starting pitcher Mike Ballard pitched a no-hitter in the Cavaliers' 5-0 victory over Boston College as 2,077 fans witnessed the event. It was the first no-hitter thrown by a Virginia pitcher since 1974.
"Just crazy," Ballard said of his emotions after the final out.
Ballard, a senior out of Virginia Beach, had a perfect game through five and two-third innings until he hit Boston College batter Pete Frates. Ballard got out of the sixth inning with Eagles second baseman Johnny Ayers grounding into a fielder's choice. He allowed two walks and struck out three in the game.
For Virginia coach Brian O'Connor, this is the first no-hitter he's been a part of.
"I'm just so happy for Mike Ballard," O'Connor said. "It's so rare that you can be part of [a no-hitter] as a coach and as a player. For him to go out there and accomplish what he did is really amazing and is a testament to him."
The no-hitter is even more satisfying for Ballard, who had to sit out the 2004 season due to Tommy John surgery and is one of the few players who was around when Virginia missed the NCAA Tournament in 2003.
"I've been though so much, rehabbing from surgery and having to sit out a whole year," Ballard said. "It's rewarding just to know that all the hard work you've put in is paying off."
Even though, Ballard pitched an excellent game, other factors must occur to make a no-hitter possible.
"For a no-hitter to be thrown, you have to play great defense and make some great plays," O'Connor said.
One great play that Virginia fans will remember from this game is a diving catch by outfielder Brandon Marsh down the right-field line in the eighth inning.
"I knew I was going to have to dive for it," Marsh said. "But when Bally is putting it all out there, the whole defense has to put it out there too. It is such a great thing to be a part of that. I wasn't going to let that ball drop. You've got to go 110 percent for it, and I did."
Another key part to Ballard's no-hitter was the five runs Virginia scored -- including four after six innings -- that allowed him to settle down late in the game.
"Anytime your offense can go out there and put up runs for you early and all throughout the game it allows you to attack hitters more," Ballard said.
The quick pace of the game also allowed Ballard to stay in a rhythm, as the game only lasted two hours and 13 minutes.
"I think it definitely helps," Ballard said. "As much as you would like for your offense to have huge innings, it's also a lot easier for you to have them just score one or two quick and get right back out there."
Lost in all the excitement of Ballard's no-hitter was reserve infielder Patrick Wingfield's skilled performance this weekend. The 2004 Virginia high school player of the year for Winchester's John Handley high school, Wingfield came in for injured third baseman Jeremy Farrell Friday and did an excellent job all weekend, going 4-6, driving in two runs and playing excellent defense as well.
"He hasn't gotten many opportunities because there have been other guys in front of him during his career," O'Connor said. "When you work hard and you are patient, opportunities come up. He has waited his turn, and now he is taking advantage of his opportunities."
VMI (24-13) is a solid ball club with strong offensive capabilities -- they have 20 homeruns on the season. Coming off the amazing game Sunday, O'Connor knows his team has to refocus for today.
"VMI has a very good ball club, and I know they will be ready to play," O'Connor said. "We need to enjoy this and then put it behind us."
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