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May 13, 2004

Box Score |? Video Highlights

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia baseball team found itself trailing the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by the score of 4-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning. But like it had done so many times before this season, 14 to be exact, the Cavaliers found a way to win another close ball game. UVa scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, another run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game at 4-4 to force extra innings, then scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning to claim a 5-4 victory on a RBI-single by Scott Headd.

After playing through five scoreless innings of baseball, Wake Forest took a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Casey Sterk connected on a RBI-single to plate Matt Miller who tripled to reach base for the first run of the game, before Ben Ingold drove in a pair of WFU runs with a two-run, RBI-double to left-center field. Leading 3-0, the Demon Deacons added another run in the top of the seventh inning and took a 4-0 lead when Nick Blue scored Doug Riepe from third base with a sacrifice fly to center field.

WFU would hold onto its four-run lead until the bottom of the eighth inning. Trailing 4-0, Virginia cut the lead to one at 4-3 when Ryan Zimmerman cleared the bases and plated three runs on a three-run, RBI-double to the left-center field gap. Zimmerman’s hits would allow the Cavaliers to set up a late rally once again.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and pinch runner Mike Mitchell on second base, UVa’s #9 hitter in the order Tim Henry looped a RBI-single into left field that was almost snatched out of the air by WFU’s third baseman Matt Antonelli. Henry’s hit just got over the glove of Antonelli which scored Mitchell to tie the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the tenth inning and the score tied at 4-4 with the bases loaded and one out, UVa’s Headd dropped the game-winning hit into left field with a RBI-single to score Zimmerman from third base to give UVa the victory.

The win marked the 15th time this season Virginia has pulled out a game in late innings. The victory was the tenth time the Cavaliers recorded a come-from-behind victory, the other five wins were games UVa broke open a late tie without trailing late in the game.

Virginia’s Canon Hickman (7-2) picked up the win on the mound after going 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed just one hit and struck out two batters. UVa starting pitcher Andrew Dobies pitched 7.0 innings in a no-decision after allowing four runs on four hits to go along with his game-high five strikeouts.

WFU starting pitcher Justin Keadle appeared to be on his way to a victory before allowing three runs on six hits through 8.0 innings. The Demon Deacons’ Charlie Mellies (3-1) couldn’t close the game to pick up the save and gave up two runs on two hits and walked four batters in just 1.1 inning of action to let the lead slip away in the loss.

With the victory, Virginia’s record improves to 38-11 overall, 16-6 in the ACC. The loss drops Wake Forest’s record to 17-26 overall, 4-15 in the ACC. The Cavaliers now lead the three-game series one game to none.

UVa and WFU will return to action on Friday, May 14th when the Cavaliers host the Demon Deacons in the second contest of the three-game ACC series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.

— UVa —

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