It feels great to be out of the Regional round. I was worried that this team was going to carry the number one ranking for much of the season only to go meekly in the first round – a defeat that would have only been made more offensive by coming at home. Getting to the Super Regional round validates the season a bit more, but I won’t be truly fulfilled without another trip to Omaha.

To get there, we need to get past Oklahoma. The Sooners are 47-15, and went 15-10 in a largely mediocre Big 12. To further devalue the Sooners’ schedule, they’ve played just five games against ranked opponents this season and have won just one: a 4-2 road victory over TCU in April.

The Sooner pitchers we’ll see are Michael Rocha (7-1, 3.50) tomorrow and Zach Neal (8-3, 4.42) on Sunday. Rocha spent some of this season banished from the OU rotation following a couple of costly losses but has come on strong toward the end of the year. Neal has spent much of the season as their number one, but has been hit hard on occasion.

Garrett Buechele (.387, 16 HR), Danny Black (.339, 10 SB), Chris Ellison (.329, 21 SB), Cameron Seitzer (14 HR) and Max White (14 HR) are the guys to look for in the Oklahoma order – a deep group that is hitting .314 with 93 home runs as a team.

Hultz will get the Saturday start for us, with Morey on Sunday and either Branden Kline (probably) or Cody Winiarksi (less probably) available for Monday’s deciding game (if it comes to that, which I hope it doesn’t).

Thought:

- UVa is undefeated all time against the Big 12: a robust 2-0. A 4-2 win over Oklahoma State in 1998, and a 12-4 win over Oklahoma in 1999.

Maybe it’s just the pessimism that comes from following an athletic program with a tendency to fail spectacularly in important games, but I’m having a hard time getting the optimism going for tonight’s game. We really should have taken care of business yesterday. Now, we’ve got a loose St. Johns team throwing about words like “reeling.”

Reasons to be optimistic:
a.) the team has yet to lose consecutive games this season
b.) it’s a nice day for baseball (a reach? sure)
c.) Nick Cenatiempo, the Red Storm’s most likely starter, is just 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA this season. He’s allowed 80 baserunners in just 39 innings, a number that suggests that a.) we should be able to hit Cenatiempo and b.) he isn’t very good.

Reasons to be pessimistic:
a.) Danny Hultzen & Robert Morey will not – in any circumstance – be available to pitch tonight
b.) St. Johns’ ace, Kyle Hansen, could possibly make an appearance tonight. Hansen’s 8-2 with a 3.55 ERA, and went just four innings on Friday against Ole Miss.
c.) the 2-3-4 spots in the Cavalier order are hitting just .277 with seven RBI in the Regional (thanks, Sabre).

Branden Kline and Cody Winiarksi can get us through six innings, and Kevin Arrico can finish things off. The key for the Cavaliers tonight will be bridging the gap between them. Justin Thompson, Will Roberts and Chad O’Connor could all conceivably get a call – something that makes me nervous as none of those guys are big game tested.

Winning the first two games of a regional puts a team in a great position: that of needing to win only one of two games, and have one of those games come against an opponent who has already played that day. I also like that we’ve got Robert Morey – who, until his ACC Tournament start was on a ridiculous roll – available to start tonight.

The bats continued to make me look bad for worrying if we were going to be able to score enough runs in the postseason against better opposition. The hitters are rolling right now, and everyone in the lineup contributed a hit for the second straight game, while seven of the nine batters contributed an RBI. John Barr went 4 for 4 with four RBIs, and the bottom third of the order (T-Canz, Franco, Barr) went a combined 7-11 with four runs and six RBI.

Danny Hultzen was shaky again – six runs on seven hits in his six inning stint – but once again, it didn’t matter. Branden Kline looked solid in relief, and will hopefully be available as a spot starter tomorrow if necessary, as I’d rather see him out there than Will Roberts.

So, first let me level with you: I didn’t get to actually watch this game. I’m in Yorktown visiting my in-laws. As those of you who are married know, there are times when being a good husband and acquiescing to a trip home outweigh being a good fan and attending a regional – especially when your wife, who on the average day would rather be jabbed with sharp objects than have a conversation about sports, is tremendously understanding of your fanhood. I followed yesterday’s blowout from afar via the magic of the internet.

Thoughts:

I loved that Cody Winiarski got a regional win – even if it came on a day when he was largely ineffective. I also love that BOC didn’t stick with him for too long, and that Corey Hunt got to shake the rust off and eat some innings. I don’t love that we used Tyler Wilson for three innings – particularly given his workload this season – but it was a 7-4 game when he came in, and he’s our best guy for a long relief stint. It’s unequivocally more important to go for the win than to gamble on a lesser bullpen arm in that spot, so them’s the breaks.

Offensively, it was great to see the guys just rake. T-Canz and Hicks led the charge, but it’s hard to give a high five to any particular player when eight ‘Hoos knocked in a run. I’m hoping we saved some of this offensive resurgence for Ol’ Miss tonight.

It’s likely that Hultz (9-1, 2.43 ERA) will get the start tonight against Ol’ Miss. Aaron Barrett (7-4, 4.16, not the lead singer of Reel Big Fish) starts for the Rebs.

I don’t have a lot of time to break this down, what with work and such taking up valuable blogging resources, but Paul Woody of the Richmond Times Dispatch has a pessimistic sort of preview in which he suggests that the pressure of expectations might make it hard for this Cavalier team to repeat last year’s run. As much as that point doesn’t make sense – if this team plays up to their talent (and not like they did in Greensboro last weekend) they should get back to Omaha – I feel Woody’s pain. Last year was a wild ride, with the team playing loose baseball under the “happy to be here” banner. This year, they’ve topped one national poll or another for a large portion of the season, and anything less than Omaha will be a disappointment to the team and fan base.

Opening the regional with VCU is a little bit of a confidence booster – we just played the Rams a month ago, and beat them 10-5. Unlike the midweek meeting from May (like that alliteration?), we’ll probably get the Rams’ ace – sophomore Seth Cutler-Voltz, who went 8-3 this year. BOC is currently undecided between Hultzen and Winiarski, but I’d guess that whichever of the two doesn’t get this start will get the call on Sunday with Morey doing the Saturday honors. Ol’ Miss is pumped to possibly play us again.

A baseball team almost never wins when their starting pitcher’s line looks like this: four IP, seven hits, four walks, four wild pitches and six earned runs. They almost never win when their pitching staff surrenders five home runs, and don’t ever win when all of the above happens on top of their offense managing just six hits. Through the first two games of the postseason, Cavalier hitters are batting just .196 – a number that won’t stand up against the Arizona States of the world in a couple weeks.

The team is off today, but now needs a win over Miami tomorrow combined with a BC win over Florida State in order to have a shot at winning this thing. I realize that conference tournaments don’t carry a lot of weight in the NCAA baseball world, but I’m more concerned with this team’s slump carrying over into the more important games to come.

Saturday game starts at noon.

I was mentally preparing myself to come in here and rant and rave about how the sky is falling and how my worst fears were coming true – how, despite being strong on the mound and in the field, we don’t consistently score enough runs against big ticket opposition to win in the postseason – when we came back and won. So, I’ll keep that one up my sleeve for now, even though I’m still not pleased with us only managing five hits against BC of all people. Hats off to Pat Dean – the kid pitched a gritty game and gave his team a great chance to win.

- BOC kept up his trend of leaving in Winiarski an inning too long. Cody pitched six great innings and then was shelled pretty much the second he stepped out of the dugout in the seventh.

- I feel like Tyler Wilson has become a little bit of a crutch for BOC, and you have to worry that the kid is tiring after a season and a half of being the Fix-A-Flat for the starting pitchers. Arrico has to be the ninth inning call – he’s earned it over the last two seasons.

- It had to have been hard for BOC to pinch hit for Franco – the guy is a defensive stalwart and team leader, had a knack for always delivering in the clutch during last year’s postseason run, and is a guy you love to root for as a fan – but I’m glad he did. All sentiment aside, his hitting has been abysmal this year, and Bruno coming in and drawing a walk (not Franco’s forte) started the rally that won this team the game.

Team continues the tourney run at 4pm today.

Our baseball team finished off Miami on Saturday to finish the regular season 45-10 (23-7 in the ACC) and ranked first nationally by Baseball America (or “the poll that matters”). 45-10 looks good. A lot better than 39-12-1 did last year, and better yet when you consider that this year’s diamond ‘Hoos are 16-7 against ranked opponents after going just 4-5-1 in last year’s regular season.

The team will tip off (er, I’m a basketball guy) against Boston College on Wednesday. We swept the Eagles in dominant fashion in March, outscoring them 22-5 over the three game set.

Cody Winiarski – tapped by BOC to make the start on Wednesday – rocked BC in March, allowing just one run on three hits (and giving up just five baserunners) in a six inning stint. BC will start sophomore righty Mike Dennhart, who allowed three runs (and nine hits) in taking the loss in March. Dennhart was consistently rocked this season, posting a 4-7 record and 7.22 ERA while allowing almost two baserunners per inning. Now that I’ve posted this, he’ll throw a complete game two hitter.

At the plate, our standouts were Phil Gosselin and Dan Grovatt during the season series. Goose went 7-10 in the three games with three doubles and four RBI. Grovatt went 4-10 with a home run and six RBI. 3B Anthony Melchionda (.361, 7 HR) and RF John Spatola (.326, 15 HR) are the Eagles to watch.

Thursday brings a matchup with one of the ACC’s traditional big dogs: Florida State. We took two of three in Tallahassee during the regular season, with the lone hiccup coming when the pitching staff shat the bed in a wild 9-8 Sunday loss.

Robert Morey will take the hill for the ‘Hoos. Morey got rocked a bit in his start against the ‘Noles this year (7 hits, 3 walks, 3 ER in a 5 inning stint), but has looked as good as his stuff makes you think he is in his last four starts: 32 IP, 14 hits, 10 walks, 25 strikeouts and just five runs allowed. FSU will trot out part time starter and full time lefthander Robert Busch (4-1, 4.42). Busch didn’t get a start during the regular season set, but made two relief appearances in the series, yielding a run on four hits and two walks in 3.1 innings.

At the plate, Dan Grovatt was the star. He went 8-14 against the ‘Noles with two home runs, a double, and five RBI. Centerfielder Tyler Hold, third baseman Sherman Johnson, and leftfielder Mike McGee are the ‘Noles to watch – the trio combined for 27 home runs and 143 RBI this season, while all batting north of .330.

We’ll finish out the slate against Miami on Saturday – a familiar opponent, given that we just played them this past weekend.

Danny Hultzen – fresh off of his ACC Pitcher of the Year and first team All Conference awards – will probably take his 8-1 record and 2.08 ERA against Miami ace Chris Hernandez (8-3, 2.94). Hultzen pitched Saturday against Miami and was uncharacteristically off (five walks in five innings). Hernandez went 5.2 against us on Friday, striking out nine.

At the plate, nobody on our side really put in a consistent showing against Miami. On their side, you obviously have to watch out for Yasmani Grandal – but that’s like telling people they need to look out for Cloverfield. 3B Harold Martinez hit 17 home runs for the ‘Canes – notable because it’s more than any two Cavaliers combined.

If (not when) the ‘Hoos get to the ACC title game on Sunday, Branden Kline will be the starter. I feel like he could have a total bust out game in that kind of situation.

Our guys lost 5-4 in extras on Thursday, but followed up with a 3-1 win yesterday behind another great outing from the big arm of Robert Morey to clinch at least a share of the ACC Coastal. Morey was dominant against UNC last weekend, and followed it up with a solid start yesterday: one run allowed on three hits (with four walks) in seven innings. Over his last two starts, he’s allowed just two runs on six hits (and 12 total baserunners) in 16 innings. It’s beginning to look like he’s starting to Hulk up toward the end of the season just like he did last year.

The Thursday game saw a decent effort by Branden Kline in his first ACC start (two runs on three hits in five innings, striking out three) dumped on by a combination of late inning offensive ineptitude and Tyler Wilson’s struggles. Wilson was feast or famine against the ‘Canes, striking out seven in 5.2 innings while also allowing five hits and walking four. On the offensive side, two Miami relievers struck out eleven Cavaliers in six innings while allowing just three baserunners.

Game three has already begun, and the ‘Hoos are up 4-1 in the top of the 4th behind Danny Hultzen.

Our baseball team – currently ranked first in the country, a ridiculous and head scratchingly good 40-9, tied for first in the ACC Coastal and winners of 11 straight games – play their last homestand of the year against 21st ranked UNC this weekend. I still can’t believe this team is this good – winning 40 before losing your tenth is huge. The ACC Coastal race has come down to these last two series of the season, with a perfect ending set up: the ‘Hoos face off with Miami in Coral Gables next weekend. Miami has three games in Atlanta against 39-9 Georgia Tech this weekend, so this weekend presents a golden opportunity to maybe obtain a little breathing room before hitting the road for Coral Gables.

The ‘Heels are a traditional power in college baseball (though who it seems like, between Clemson, UNC, FSU, Georgia Tech & Miami, everyone is a traditional power in this conference) and come to Charlottesville at 34-15. There is both good news and bad hidden in their record. The good? They’ve won nine of their last ten games. The bad? That only three of those ten games came against a good team, and that they’re a miserable 3-9 against the ACC’s power foursome of Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson and Miami – and 11-13 in the conference overall.

Carolina is a middle of the pack offensive team: they’re batting .313 (fifth in the ACC), have scored 382 runs (seventh), have drawn 247 walks (fifth), and are sixth in the ACC in stolen bases. They’re led at the dish by the potent trio of junior infielder Dillon Hazlett (.352/.409/.893, 3 HR 47 RBI), speedy sophomore infielder Levi Michael (.349/.482/1.044, 5 HR 42 RBI, 15 SB), and first baseman and power threat Jesse Wierzbicki (.324/.431/.957, 7 HR 46 RBI). The ‘Heels have hit the second fewest home runs in the conference, which should play right into the hands of a Cavalier staff that have allowed just 39 on the year.

On the hill, the ‘Heels are fifth in the ACC with a 4.33 ERA and .257 batting average allowed. They’ve walked the fourth most guys, and have allowed the fifth fewest runs, further penciling them in as a middle of the pack ACC baseball team. The Carolina bullpen has some issues, in the way that one could say Tiger Woods has some issues: eight of 13 guys have ERAs that are over 4.50, and the team has just nine saves. The leaders (with three each) are Greg Holt (2-2, 6.37) and Michael Morin (5-2, 5.51).

The pitching match ups for the weekend look like so:
Friday night: Danny Hultzen (7-1, 2.00) against junior righthander Matt Harvey (6-2, 2.68).
Saturday afternoon: Robert Morey (7-2, 3.60) against freshman righthander Chris Munnelly (2-1, 4.96)
Sunday afternoon: Cody Winiarski (5-0, 4.11) against junior righthander Patrick Johnson (5-3, 3.62)

With Carolina trotting out straight righthanders, it looks like John Barr can take the weekend off – with the lineup featuring Gosselin in left and Keith Werman (.470 on the year and brutalizing righties) at second likely to see more time.

This series marks the scheduled return of Franco Valdes (out most of the month following a knee procedure) for the ‘Hoos. I’ll be glad to see him back behind the plate, though John Hicks’ bat has come out of its season long hibernation with some reps behind the dish: he’s 14-35 (.400) since Franco’s surgery moved him back to part time duty at catcher. As much as Franco brings to the table on the defensive end, I wouldn’t mind seeing him eased back into the lineup – between the resurgent Hicks and the consistent Kenny Swab (.361/.537/.992, 4 HR), we’re not in bad shape at catcher or first base if Franco takes a game or two off this weekend and next. I’d rather have Franco’s clutch bat and solid D at full strength in the NCAA Tournament than at 70% at the end of the regular season.