Cavalier Baseball Edged by Old Dominion

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February 25, 1999

NORFOLK, Va. – University of Virginia junior right-handed pitcher Casey Kennedy can’t seem to get a break this season. Despite a tidy 3.86 ERA, the Boca Raton, Fla., native is 0-3. Wednesday, things were not much better as Kennedy allowed just three hits with a season-high six strike outs against Old Dominion, but took the loss as the Monarchs defeated the Cavaliers 1-0.

Virginia, which has not won or lost more than two consecutive games this season, falls to 4-6 with the loss. ODU ups its record to 3-2. Light snow fell during much of the game.

The game was played in sub-freezing temperatures and lasted just one hour, 56 minutes. It was the first nine-inning UVA game played in less than two hours since March 6, 1998. Ironically, Kennedy pitched well and took the loss in that game, as well, when the Cavs fell short to Georgia Tech 5-3.

Old Dominion plated the game’s lone run on two hits, a sacrifice and a ground out in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at first and second and no outs, Monarch left fielder Jason Greiner layed down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners along. Kennedy made a play on the ball just to the thirdbase side of the mound, but could not get the ball out of his glove in time for a play at third. He then alertly turned and got Greiner at first for the first out of the inning. Jeff Eure followed with a ground ball to second. UVA did not have the infield in with it being early in the game and that proved costly as the ball was deep enough to score Anthony Forelli from third. Meanwhile, ODU huler Shawn Weaver (1-1) was keeping the Cavs in check, going the distance and allowing just two hits with no walks and seven strike outs. Kennedy (0-3) did not walk a batter either but did hit one. Jon Metzger pitched the final inning for the Wahoos, striking out the side. Metzger now has nine strike outs in his last three and two-thirds innings of work.

Ryan Kalamaya and Luis Giraldo eeked out the only hits of the day for Virginia. Kalamaya doubled to right-center with two outs in the third, but was stranded there. Giraldo singled down the rightfield line with one out in the eighth, but was also stranded. The Cavaliers will return to action this weekend, hosting Seton Hall for a three-game series at the UVA Baseball Field. Virginia and Seton Hall will play a doubleheader Saturday at noon with the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.

OLD DOMINION 1, VIRGINIA 0

UVA (4-6)	000 000 000 -- 0 2 2ODU (3-2)	000 100 00x -- 1 3 0

WP — Weaver (1-1).
LP — Kennedy (0-3).
Sv — None.
Kennedy, Metzger (8) and Rueffert; Weaver and Silver.
T — 1:56.
A — 75.