Following an ACC series loss to NC State and a split Saturday doubleheader where Virginia struggled and relied on late-game offensive heroics, the Cavaliers (20-14, 9-9 ACC) absolutely needed to find a way to win Sunday. With an offensive explosion and dominant pitching, they did just that — eviscerating the Panthers (18-16, 5-10 ACC) 18-0.
Virginia came out slugging — starting the game with a pair of home runs in the home half of the first inning. Junior infielder Chris Arroyo put the Cavaliers on the board with an early two-run home run before junior outfielder Harrison Didawick backed him up with a blast of his own, driving in three more runs and giving Virginia an early 5-0 lead.
“Definitely felt good to see my preparation pay off,” Didawick said. “Great to see my teammates behind me, [I’ve just been] grinding, staying consistent and believing.”
The Cavaliers sustained their powerful offensive attack — building on their initial lead with multiple runs scored in each of the first four innings. With the bases loaded and a seven run lead in the second, graduate catcher Jacob Ference launched a 444-foot mammoth grand slam, putting Virginia up 11-0.
The following innings were only more of the same. The Cavaliers added six more runs across the next two frames as Arroyo slashed a pair of RBI singles and junior outfielder Aidan Teel drove in another two runners with a single in the fourth.
On a day where Virginia got contributions from top-to-bottom in the order, Arroyo stood out. While his home run in the first set the tone, his three hits and six RBI on the day anchored Virginia’s offensive approach.
In addition to the offensive eruption, freshman pitcher Tomas Valincius turned in another stellar outing for the Cavaliers. Valincius was both dominant and efficient — going 5.2 innings and allowing zero runs while only giving up two hits and striking out four.
“Valincius was outstanding,” O’Connor said. “The last 10 innings he’s thrown for us in league play have been really elite. He has learned and grown up a lot and he's pitched magnificently the past 2 weekends.
Back on offense, Virginia added another run in the sixth — this time on an RBI single from sophomore infielder Antonio Perrotta who dealt the final offensive blow of the day for the Cavaliers, making the game 18-0.
O’Connor went with a trio of relievers to close out the mercy rule victory in seven innings, with junior Ryan Osinski, senior Dean Kampshror and sophomore Charlie Oschell all working to preserve the Cavaliers shutout effort.
Every Virginia starter ultimately reached base Sunday, contributing to a 13-hit outburst across just six offensive innings — a statement of the Cavaliers’ most complete offensive performance of the season.
“Just a tremendous offensive day — one of the best, if not the best offensive day that we’ve had all season long and a lot of guys contributed to that,” O’Connor said.
Sunday marked Virginia’s most dominant win of the season — an overpowering effort in every phase of the game and one that came when the team needed it most. With a roster loaded with experience and high-end upside, the Cavaliers will look to use this performance as a spark down the stretch in the ACC.
Next, Virginia will host Liberty in a midweek contest Tuesday at 6 p.m. before traveling to Tallahassee to take on No. 9 Florida State in a pivotal three-game ACC series. With a series win and some momentum in hand, this week resembles an opportunity for the Cavaliers to re-establish themselves as a threat in the ACC.
Read More
Hylton ties another record as No. 25 Virginia softball wins series versus Louisville
By Ben McNiff | 56 minutes agoNo. 25 Virginia bounced back Friday and Saturday in back-to-back ACC victories.
Live tracker: the women’s basketball offseason
By Cecilia Mould , Xander Tilock and Lauren Halak | YesterdayThis tracker documents Virginia's offseason moves.
