UVA Baseball Bests Crosstown Rival Liberty 7-2 Under the Lights

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Playing their first 7:00 p.m. game of the season, Virginia bested crosstown rival Liberty 7-2 under the bright lights of Disharoon Park. Over 3,000 people and a national TV audience saw Jake Gelof continue his hot hitting, Devin Ortiz pick up his fifth win of the season, and every starter collect a base hit.

What a difference a year makes. Last year, while slowly working their way into Omaha form, the Wahoos got their doors blown off by the Flames 10-2 in Lynchburg. Though they did even things up later in the year, this year’s team got out in front of the issue.

Kyle Teel scored in the first inning to put Virginia up 1-0, then added another in the fourth on a Ethan Anderson double down the line. Once on second base, he stirred an imaginary pot in his helmet for his teammates to enjoy.

The fifth inning brought all the noise and proved to be the difference. Jake Gelof, the nation’s top home run and RBI guy, poked a two-run single between the third baseman and shortstop with the bases loaded. Chris Newell followed with a safety squeeze bunt to put Virginia up 5-1.

Veterans Alex Tappen and Max Cotier each had RBI knocks in the later innings.

BOX SCORE

Virginia pitchers held the Flames to just five hits while racking up 12 strikeouts. Starter Devin Ortiz (5-1) struck out five over 4.2 innings and improved his ERA to 2.o3 on the year. Dylan Bowers came on in relief, putting up a scoreless 1.1 inning and flashing some leather from the mound.

Leftie Matthew Buchanan came in after Bowers. The first year struck out five hitters in two innings but surrendered a solo shot in the eighth. Avery Mabe pitched a clean ninth to wrap things up and secure the 7-2 win.

In 15.1 innings of work, Buchanan has a 0.59 ERA. Mabe, in 5.1 innings, has a 1.69 ERA thus far.

Virginia (26-3) ranks No. 2 in the latest Baseball America poll and No. 3 by USA Today and D1Baseball.

The win over RPI No. 51 Liberty was a good Q2 win for Virginia. Per Warren Nolan, they’re now 8-2 across the top two quads. Their road trip to RPI No. 7 Miami this weekend is huge and on the follow list for all college baseball people. Friday’s game is on ACC Network so make sure to tune in and watch the boys try to continue Virginia’s ownership of the Canes this year. The football team won down there on that missed game-winning field goal, then the basketball team beat em twice! Go Hoos