After a loss to Richmond which was a clear low-point in the relatively young season, Virginia Coach Brian O’Connor said that he had an “absolute demand” for better performances from his team and himself.
While the Cavaliers (12-8, 3-4 ACC) had a big chance to improve against Duke Friday, their struggles continued for much of the series opener. The Blue Devils (14-9, 3-4 ACC) prevailed 9-5, with Virginia fans leaving the stadium at the end of the sixth inning serving as a grim omen for this season’s trajectory.
The Cavalier lineup was atrocious in terms of manufacturing scoring opportunities. After sophomore infielder Eric Becker smashed a double to the wall in center field, the next two batters struck out and grounded out to end the first inning. In the next frame, a walk and stolen base from junior infielder Henry Godbout started the inning off right. But Virginia failed to get a hit in the inning, stranding Godbout on second base and staying scoreless. In total, the Cavaliers stranded eight runners on base and went just 3-19 with runners in scoring position.
Senior pitcher Jay Woolfolk was also inconsistent. While he had a perfect game through the first three innings — as he struck out six batters — things quickly went downhill. Consecutive walks to open the fourth inning gave the Blue Devils a chance to strike, and they did when graduate infielder Ben Miller hit a three-run blast to left field.
Miller was a problem all night for Cavalier pitchers. Aside from his three-run home run, Miller had a single that drove in the Duke’s fifth run. He would finish with four of his team’s nine runs batted in.
Junior pitcher Owen Proksch kept the Cavaliers in check despite allowing base runners in almost every inning he threw. Proksch’s three-quarters release fooled Virginia often, and the team failed to score a run until Godbout hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to center field. Godbout was a bright star in a dim sky, contributing two of four runs batted in.
Unfortunately for Proksch, the home run was the beginning of the end for him. Proksch gave up a walk, then a hit by pitch immediately following the home run. Junior outfielder Aidan Teel then hit a double to right field, ending Proksch’s night. In what was the longest appearance of his season, Proksch went 3.1 innings and allowed just three hits and three runs.
Woolfolk’s control continued to wane as his start wore on, and walks plagued what would have been a quality start. After an RBI triple in the fifth inning gave the Blue Devils a 4-3 lead, Woolfolk exited the game. He went 4.2 innings, finishing with 10 strikeouts, and allowed three hits and five runs. He also allowed three walks, all of which led to runs.
After Woolfolk’s exit, Virginia’s bullpen was underwhelming. In the sixth inning alone, three pitchers had to enter the game. Only one of them did not allow a run or a hit. As the game wore on, their struggles only became more apparent with Duke’s lead growing. The Cavalier bullpen has been shaky all season, and their performance tonight emphasizes that this unit is not adequately ready for conference play at the moment.
Virginia’s offense mounted some resistance toward the end of the game, scoring two in the seventh inning. However, it was not enough for the Cavaliers to overcome their deficit. They were yet again outmatched by a better team.
Despite O’Connor’s call to action Tuesday, it is clear that Virginia has either not woken up or is just not the team they have been thought out to be. They are now 1-3 in ACC home games and just 7-5 this month. For a team that started off ranked second in the nation, that is beyond unacceptable. While baseball is more about how one finishes rather than how they start, the Cavaliers might not make the postseason if this sluggish play continues.
Virginia will be back in action Saturday as they continue their series against Duke. Freshman Tomas Valincius will take the mound for the Cavaliers as they attempt to even the series.
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