After losing its last two conference series against North Carolina and Miami, the Virginia baseball team is eager to take on what may prove a lesser conference foe, Maryland.
Last weekend’s series loss was just as disappointing as Virginia’s late-inning collapses against Miami the week before. The Cavaliers (24-4, 6-4 ACC) dropped two games against the Tar Heels in the eighth and ninth innings. Now, coach Brian O’Connor’s team is hoping to carry the momentum from its recent midweek victories; Virginia defeated Norfolk State Wednesday night 6-2 after easing past Radford 12-2 Tuesday.
Maryland (13-15, 3-9 ACC) has struggled this year, especially at its away games. The Terrapins have gone 3-10 on the road this season, which bodes well for the Cavaliers, who are looking to clinch their second ACC series of the year.
Although Maryland’s track record on the road is poor and Virginia swept the Terrapins last year, the team is not expecting easy wins.
“If we don’t play, we’re going to get beat,” sophomore centerfielder Jarrett Parker said.
Although Virginia’s performance against Norfolk State was somewhat lackluster, O’Connor remains confident.
“We’ll be better Friday night — I can assure you of that,” O’Connor said.
Key to Virginia’s hopes for success Friday is one of its pitching aces, freshman lefthander Danny Hultzen, who will likely start. Hultzen has an impressive 5-0 record with a strong 1.62 ERA. Hultzen also boasts more strikeouts than innings pitched.
Virginia also will look to its offense, which has been consistent and efficient so far this season, making it tough for opposing pitchers from top to bottom in the starting lineup. Eight starters have batting averages greater than .300. Even some of the team’s pinch hitters, including junior John Bivens and freshman Keith Werman who have notched .385 and .381 batting averages respectively, have put up strong numbers. The Cavaliers tally nearly 10 runs a game, compared to their opponents’ three runs per game.
Part of Virginia’s offensive success stems from its reliable lead-off batters. The combination of Parker and sophomore utility player Phil Gosselin can pose problems for opposing pitchers.
In the past five games, Parker has gone nine for 18 with seven runs batted in while Gosselin has driven home five runs after connecting on 10 hits in 18 attempts.
Though the Cavaliers have the clear statistical advantages on both sides of the ball, Maryland boasts several solid offensive producers. Both senior third baseman Mike Murphy and junior outfielder A.J. Casario have driven in 23 runs apiece and have batting averages well-above .300.
“We don’t take Maryland different than any other team,” Parker said. “We’re just going to go out and try to get the job done again.”
The Terrapins have had fewer bright spots on the mound. Their Friday night starters — usually either freshman lefthander Matt Fullerton or junior righthander Scott Swinson — have struggled recently. In his last 6.2 innings pitched, Fullerton has given up seven runs and earned two losses. His 4.32 ERA and 3-2 season record, however, trump Swinson, who possesses a 5.73 ERA and a 2-4 record.
In addition to improving their ACC record, the Cavaliers also would like to see freshman catcher John Hicks bounce back after his 11-game hitting streak was snapped Wednesday night, when Hicks went zero for five against the Spartans. Hicks has been trying to balance learning to play first base while also staying focused on his performance at the plate, where he has notched a .350 batting average and 17 RBIs so far.
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