Two wins against Virginia Tech this past weekend marked the Virginia baseball team's fifth ACC series victory. But it did not feel nearly as successful after Sunday's 8-5 loss, during which the Hokies scored five runs during the top of the ninth and spoiled an opportunity to sweep Tech at home for its third straight trip to Charlottesville.
"We bounce back every time after a loss, so I'm encouraged by what I see," coach Brian O'Connor said.
The No. 2 team will have a good chance to rebound from the disappointing loss as it takes on Richmond today and George Mason tomorrow at Davenport Field. The Spiders (14-13, 2-4 Atlantic 10) also look to bounce back after suffering a 2-1 series loss against George Washington. Richmond was trounced in Sunday's series-decider, 11-5. Indeed, losing has become the trend for Richmond, which has been plagued by inconsistency this season. The Spiders have posted a 5-5 record during their past 10 games but have yet to win consecutive contests.
The squad's 6.11 team ERA does not bode well against the Cavaliers (29-9, 12-6 ACC), who rank third in the ACC in batting and knocked around potential first-round draft pick Jesse Hahn for seven hits and five runs during the junior's 6.1 innings Sunday. Junior center fielder Jarrett Parker turned in a particularly noteworthy performance with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a home run and two RBIs. Just a year after Parker hit 16 long balls, Sunday's homer marked only his third on the season. That being said, Parker appears to be hitting his stride and will have an opportunity to put some more pop in the ball today against the Spider pitching staff.
"I was really excited to see Jarrett Parker really step up and meet Hahn toe-to-toe," O'Connor said. "That's very, very encouraging,"
Indeed, though his .312 season batting average pales in comparison to some of his teammates, Parker ranks third on the team in RBIs with 32.
"I'm just trying to relax," Parker said. "Earlier I was trying to do too much, getting a little stressed. I've been feeling a lot better now."
Parker and the rest of the Cavaliers will face a tougher opponent tomorrow in George Mason (23-11, 7-5 CAA), which is currently riding a six-game win streak.
The Patriots rank second in the Colonial Athletic Association in ERA and hit .327 as a team, including three players who are batting more than .400.
O'Connor most likely will use one of the midweek games to unleash his bullpen to keep it loose for Virginia's upcoming series against Maryland. In the other game - likely against Mason - O'Connor may want a long outing from his starter. The coach could turn to freshman Whit Mayberry, who is 1-1 as a starter and was saddled with an ugly loss against VMI in Lexington last Wednesday. The right-hander lasted only 3.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on six hits and one walk. O'Connor instead may give another chance to sophomore Will Roberts, who did not make it out of the first inning in his last start against James Madison April 6.
Whoever toes the rubber will be charged with an unfamiliar task - bounce back from a midweek loss.
The Cavaliers were undefeated in midweek contests until the 12-3 debacle against the Keydets.
"I was wondering this morning if the sun was gonna come up," O'Connor said last Thursday. "It definitely did."
The Cavaliers will hope to rebound from Sunday's loss at 6 p.m. against Richmond before taking the field against the Patriots tomorrow evening.
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