Virginia found itself in an unfamiliar position entering Friday’s series opener versus No. 24 Georgia Tech — the position of potentially missing the NCAA Regionals. In a season where little has gone according to plan, the Cavaliers (24-15, 11-9 ACC) faced down a critical opportunity entering Friday’s series — one final chance to pick up a series win over a ranked opponent.
Virginia got it done by the thinnest of margins Saturday afternoon, defeating the Yellow Jackets (29-14, 14-9) in Atlanta by a score of 6-5. The Cavaliers have an unlikely hero to thank — junior pitcher Bradley Hodges, who has not started against a premier opponent this season. He earned the opportunity to start Friday and made the most of it, posting seven shutout innings and allowing just two hits.
“Everything was working for him, we wouldn’t have won that game without Bradley Hodges and what he did,” Coach Brian O’Connor said. “To go seven innings on the road in his first ACC start, you know, you’ve been watching us for weeks and he’s been trending this way.”
Offense was hard to come by for much of the game — both sides started the scoring early but faltered after the first inning. For Virginia, its first run came thanks to sophomore infielder Eric Becker, who blasted a solo home run to right-center. Georgia Tech responded in the bottom half of the first inning with an RBI groundout following a leadoff double.
After the first frame, though, it was all pitching for the next four innings. Both sides were held scoreless, featuring just two hits — both by the Cavaliers. For Virginia, it was Hodges who shut down the Yellow Jackets, allowing just one hit and zero runs after the first inning.
Georgia Tech’s starting pitcher, junior Brady Jones, posted five strong frames as well but began to show cracks in the sixth inning. A solo home run by sophomore infielder Henry Ford ignited the Virginia offense, putting the Cavaliers in front 2-1. Virginia returned to the plate in the seventh inning with momentum and quickly put two runners on base, forcing the Yellow Jackets to go to the bullpen.
The result was no different. After a single by junior outfielder Aidan Teel loaded the bases, Becker struck once again, lacing a two-RBI single to left field. Georgia Tech brought in its third pitcher of the frame, who induced an inning-ending double play.
It was a similar story in the eighth inning, though, as two Cavaliers once again found themselves with a baserunner. In stepped junior outfielder Harrison Didawick, a Virginia stalwart who has struggled to repeat the results of a fantastic 2024 season. With two outs and a 3-2 count, Didawick ripped a missile to right field, a two-run home run to extend the Cavaliers’ lead to 6-1.
With 93 pitches under his belt, Hodges’ outing ended after the seventh inning — another scoreless frame to cap off an eye-opening performance at a critical time. Junior pitcher Ryan Osinski took the mound in relief and immediately found himself in trouble though, as he allowed a solo home run.
With a series victory within shouting distance, O’Connor wasted no time moving to the bullpen after Osinski allowed a single, the Yellow Jackets’ second hit of the inning. Graduate pitcher Matt Lanzendorfer entered to stop the bleeding and quickly recorded a strikeout for the third out.
The Virginia bats could not score in the top of the ninth and Lanzendorfer returned to the mound with a chance to close out the game and shake off the Cavaliers’ bullpen woes. Quickly, however, it became clear that Georgia Tech was going to make a run — after an error put a runner on first base, Lanzendorfer allowed a single and issued a walk to load the bases.
A fielder’s choice brought in one run in exchange for an out, a welcome trade for Virginia. Lanzendorfer recorded the second out on a ground ball back to the mound, quieting the Yellow Jacket faithful. Just as suddenly, they were back on their feet — a two-out, two-RBI double cut the Cavaliers’ lead to just one run.
With O’Connor’s most reliable pitcher in jeopardy, the coach elected to once again make a change — Alex Markus, another graduate pitcher, entered to record the final out. Thankfully, Markus wasted no time, striking out the final Georgia Tech hitter to close out an eventful 6-5 victory.
The win was emblematic of a rollercoaster season — solid, improved hitting and a strong start by Hodges nearly ruined by a total bullpen collapse. Still, the result was the desired one, as Virginia walked away with a series victory and a chance to sweep the Yellow Jackets Sunday.
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