Story Links
April 13, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia baseball team was firing on all cylinders as the Cavaliers polished off the #12 ranked Miami Hurricanes in convincing fashion following a 17-2 blowout in the final contest of a three-game series at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium. Virginia jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through three innings of play and never looked back as UVa received a solid effort on both offense and defense in a 15-run victory. The contest was called after seven complete innings of play due to Miami’s travel arrangements.
Virginia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Matt Dunn and Mark Reynolds connected on back-to-back hits before scoring a run. Dunn got things started for UVa by posting a single before he scored a run on a RBI-double by Reynolds to make it a 1-0 contest. Reynolds stole third base and then scored a run himself one batters later on a RBI-single by Koshansky to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead.
Virginia extended its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning. Chris Sweet reached base on an error to lead of the side for UVa before coming around to score a run three batters later on a RBI-single by Kyle Werman.
The Cavaliers added another run to their total and pulled out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. After UVa’s Sweet walked to reach base, he then stole second before coming around to score a run on a RBI-double down the right field line by Eric Christensen to give Virginia a four-run advantage.
Miami scored its first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning and made it a 4-1 contest when Ryan Braun reached first base on a passed ball after striking out and later scored on a RBI ground out by Joey Hooft.
But UVa answered right back and posted five runs on just one hit with the aid of two Miami errors to take a 9-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Virginia’s Werman scored the first run of the inning after reaching base on a walk right before Matt Street and Dunn each scored a run after reaching base on two Hurricane errors. The Cavaliers’ Reynolds also scored a run in the inning after reaching first base on another walk before teammate Ryan Zimmerman scored a run himself by recording the only Virginia hit in the inning. UVa’s Scott Headd and Werman both picked up an RBI after walking in back-to-back appearances to the plate with the bases loaded in the inning to complete the scoring recap.
The Hurricanes plated their second and final run of the contest to make it a 9-2 game in the top of the fifth inning when Braun drove in Brian Barton from second base to score a run with an RBI-single through the left side.
However, the Cavaliers put the game out of reach and inning and a half later when Virginia erupted for eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 17-2 lead. The inning was highlighted by a pair of RBI-doubles by UVa’s Reynolds and Zimmerman. UVa’s eight-run outburst was more than enough insurance runs as Virginia put the finishing touches on its 15-run victory.
UVa starting pitcher Joe Koshansky (5-0) picked up his fifth win of the season and remained perfect on the mound after going 6.0 innings. He allowed just two runs (one earned) on four hits with a game-high six strikeouts in the victory. Miami starting pitcher Alex Perez (0-1) took the loss after going just 3.0 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with one strikeout.
With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 21-12 on the year. The loss drops Miami’s record to 27-7 on the season. The Hurricanes won the three-game series two games to one following a pair of wins, 6-1 on Friday and 10-4 on Saturday.
Virginia will return to home action on Tuesday, April 15th when the Cavaliers host the Old Dominion Monarchs in a non-conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.
— UVa —