When sophomore Kelly Haller, a first baseman on the Virginia softball team, discussed the rigorous schedule of being both an athlete and a University student, a friend suggested she take a semester off. "There are no semesters off," Haller said. How about taking fewer credits? "No, I have to take at least 12 credits," Haller responded.
The Virginia pitching staff had no answers for George Washington yesterday, as the Colonials went on an offensive rampage and defeated Virginia 17-5. The loss was Virginia's first at home in 2008 and the 17 runs given up were the most the Virginia pitching staff has allowed since 2004, when the Cavaliers (20-5, 5-4 ACC) lost 22-3 at Miami. "We got ours tonight," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said.
"Come on, Al," they yell. "Let's go, Al." Dozens of large men donning every NFL logo on their backs stand in a padded weight room, circled around the bench with pens and clipboards in their hands.
Most freshman pitchers don't reach the low 90s on their fastballs. Most pitchers are not integral parts of their bullpen on day one.
"Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at its zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us." While what happened to the Virginia football team the last two months might not be as bad as how Ralphie Parker describes the senseless devouring of his Christmas turkey by the Bumpus' dogs in "A Christmas Story," it's safe to say things were looking up for Virginia in early January. Sure it started on a sour note -- the Alex Trlica field goal that gave Texas Tech the Gator Bowl victory.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, things seemed eerily familiar for Old Dominion.
Virginia used great pitching, a strong performance from its freshmen and a little bit of luck to complete a four-game sweep of Lehigh (0-4). The No.
You know Chris Long and Sean Singletary. And maybe even Somdev Devvarman. They are Virginia's elite.
Coaches have been saying it for years -- don't focus on the losses. Look ahead and keep your eye on the wins.
The University of Richmond named Virginia Defensive Coordinator Mike London its head football coach Saturday.
