When asked to describe his first season with the Virginia baseball program in only one word, sophomore first baseman Pavin Smith didn’t need to think before answering: “Unbelievable,” he said. Sophomore second baseman Ernie Clement looked up when asked, responding without hesitation — and with a cheeky smile on his face — “champions.”
Although both Clement and Smith’s answers seemed fitting for a team that started the preseason ranked in the top five, barely qualified for the postseason and went on to win the program’s first national title, sophomore outfielder Adam Haseley’s answer was very telling. He had to think long and hard to choose just a single word, but the one he settled on summed up Virginia’s rollercoaster ride perfectly: “perseverance.”
“I think we showed a lot of perseverance based on where the season was going about three quarters of the way through,” Haseley said. “I think that is a good word to sum up where we came from, going all the way to Omaha.”
Clement, after his initial answer, asked to add one more word: “growth.”
“We had so many young guys last year. It was really important for us to grow and gain chemistry throughout the season,” he said. “We had a lot of obstacles throughout the year that really helped us grow.”
Last season included numerous setbacks for the upperclassmen, such as back surgery for then-junior outfielder Joe McCarthy, hip surgery for then-junior infielder/outfielder John La Prise and a strained lat muscle for then-junior lefthander Nathan Kirby. From the beginning of the season on, the team’s rookies had to step up.
“Towards the end of the season, us young guys weren’t really considered ‘rookies’ anymore,” Clement said. “I mean, we had gone through so many experiences throughout the year which had helped us grow, so we were pretty prepared for the big stage like that.”
The significant amount of experience they gained throughout the season and during their championship run prepared these now-sophomores to step into leadership roles, with eight juniors and seniors departing from the program in June — seven of whom moved on to the MLB.
Clement went on to say that now that last year’s freshman class has made it through its first season — quite successfully — it is time for them to step up as examples for the new class and start “helping out the rookies and making sure they are getting acquainted with everything.”
As much as playing on a big stage in Omaha helped prepare all three players, they cited the low points as the most significant moments that will help them step into leadership roles.
“I think that a lot of the downs [last season] were learning moments, and the best way to learn is through failing,” Haseley said. “I think that is the biggest thing I think you can share with these young guys that are coming in. You know, it is okay to fail. It is bound to happen, so you just got to get through it.”
Smith elaborated on that idea after his side took a loss in Virginia’s annual Orange and Blue World Series earlier this month.
“You always have to, it is always about how you respond,” Smith said. “Even after this game, which we just lost, [volunteer assistant] coach [Matt] Kirby said that it is always how you respond to tough losses. [That] is what makes you as a team.”
These rising leaders of Virginia’s ballclub expressed satisfaction with the growth the freshmen have experienced during fall ball.
“A lot of the freshmen have really grown up as the fall has gone on,” Smith said.
“We have gotten to know the young guys pretty good,” Clement said. “They are a bunch of really talented players. It has been a good time to kind of help them get acquainted with everything and it has been fun.”
As last season’s talented rookies grow up, taking on leadership roles and mentoring this new class of ballplayers, hopes for next season are already beginning to take shape. Clement gave voice to one.
“Get back to Omaha and win a championship,” he said.
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