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March 28, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Jon Benick had a career-high four hits anddrove in three runs as the University of Virginia defeated No. 26 NorthCarolina State here Sunday, salvaging the final game of the three-gameAtlantic Coast Conference series.

The Cavaliers move to 11-18 on the season with the win, 3-5 inconference play, and put an end to a four-game losing skid. State, whichwon the first two games of the series, falls to 23-7 and 3-6.

Virginia built its lead early, scoring eight runs in the first fourinnings. Julian Gonzalez got things started with a three-run homer to leftfield in the bottom of the first, his fourth of the year. After theWolfpack put a run on the board in the top of the second, UVa plated twomore in the bottom of the inning on a two-out, two-run double by Benick.

The Cavaliers pushed their lead to 7-1 with two runs on two hits inthe third, and then added another run in the fourth on an RBI single byMark Rueffert.

State began chipping away at the lead in the fifth with a run ontwo hits and a UVa error. The Pack then added a run in the sixth, answeredin the bottom of the inning by Jon Benick’s team-leading sixth home run ofthe season – a shot to right to leadoff the inning. NCSU added a run in theseventh and two more in the eighth, but to no avail.

Greg Withelder picked up the win for the Cavaliers, lasting sixinnings. He allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Withelder (3-5) was sharp through four, tossing just 52 pitches tothat point; however, the Wolfpack began getting to him in the fifth as heused 53 pitches in his last two innings of work.

Grant Dorn (1-1) was chased from the game one out into the second,allowing five runs on three hits with two walks and one strike out. RyanCombs pitched the final five innings effectively, holding the Cavs to justone run on three hits with a walk and two strike outs over the second halfof the game.

Benick finished the 4-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles and acareer-high nine total bases. The sophomore transfer from Auburn hit safelyin each of his final four at bats. Hunter Wyant went 2-for-3 with two runsscored and an RBI. Five other Wahoos had hits on the afternoon.

Adrean Acevedo and Andy Baxter each had two hits for State, whichused 14 different position players in the game. Curtis Sapp drove in tworuns. Virginia will continue an eight-game homestand here Wednesday witha 3 p.m. contest against Richmond. North Carolina State will return homeTuesday for a 7 p.m. with Old Dominion.

VIRGINIA 9, No. 26 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 6

NCSU (23-7, 3-6)    010 011 120 -  6   8  2UVa (11-18, 3-5)    322 101 00x -  9  11  4

WP – Withelder (3-5).
LP – Dorn (1-1).
Sv – None.
Dorn, Baker (2), Combs (4) and Mooney, Sapp (5); Withelder, Hurrie (7); LaVigne (8) and Rueffert. T – 2:59. A – 203.

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