Virginia Hosts Maryland In Important ACC Weekend Series March 18-20
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March 17, 2005
`HOOS UP NEXT?: The Virginia Cavaliers (14-6, 0-3 ACC) will face the Maryland Terrapins (10-7, 3-3 ACC) in a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference on March 18-20 at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium. Virginia and Maryland will play on Friday, March 18th at 5:00 PM, Saturday, March 19th at 4:00 PM and Sunday, March 20th at 1:00 PM.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Virginia swept Maryland three games to none last season on April 16-18, 2004 in Bowie, Md. The Cavaliers defeated the Terrapins 5-3, 7-6 and 2-1 with the second and third games decided in the 11th inning.
A GLANCE AT MARYLAND: The University of Maryland is located in College Park, Md. The Terrapins enter their weekend series with Virginia with a record of 10-7 overall, 3-3 in the ACC. Maryland lost its last game 6-4 to James Madison at home on March 16th. The Terrapins are 3-4 in road games this season.
VIRGINIA HAS HAD ITS WAY WITH MARYLAND LATELY: Virginia has won 12 of the last 14 games played between the Cavaliers and the Terrapins in the series. In fact, UVa has won the last six consecutive games against Maryland and hasn’t lost a game to the Terrapins since the 2002 season in a contest played in College Park, Md. Since 2000, Virginia is 12-2 against Maryland in baseball. Here is a closer look at the Virginia/Maryland series in the 2000s:
Date Opponents Score Location3/28/00 Maryland def. Virginia 4-2 College Park, Md.3/29/00 Virginia def. Maryland 13-10 College Park, Md.3/30/00 Virginia def. Maryland 9-5 College Park, Md.4/20/01 Virginia def. Maryland 6-1 Charlottesville, Va.4/21/01 Virginia def. Maryland 15-7 Charlottesville, Va.4/22/01 Virginia def. Maryland 9-6 Charlottesville, Va.4/5/02 Virginia def. Maryland 5-0 College Park, Md.4/6/02 Maryland def. Virginia 10-3 College Park, Md.4/7/02 Virginia def. Maryland 8-7 College Park, Md.3/28/03 Virginia def. Maryland 6-0 Charlottesville, Va.3/29/03 Virginia def. Maryland 4-2 Charlottesville, Va.4/16/04 Virginia def. Maryland 5-3 Bowie, Md.4/17/04 Virginia def. Maryland 7-6 Bowie, Md.4/18/04 Virginia def. Maryland 2-1 Bowie, Md.
PROBABLE PITCHING FOR VIRGINIA VS. MARYLAND: Virginia is expected to start the trio of Mike Ballard (LHP, 4-1, 2.57 ERA, 35.0 IP, 23K) on Friday, Matt Avery (RHP, 3-2, 3.38 ERA, 26.2 IP, 26K) on Saturday and Jeff Kamrath (RHP, 3-2, 4.25 ERA, 29.2 IP, 24K) on Sunday. Maryland is expected to counter with Chris Clem (RHP, 1-1, 3.90 ERA, 30.0 IP, 17K) on Friday, Ben Pfinsgraff (RHP, 3-1, 2.61 ERA, 31.0 IP, 28K) on Saturday and a pitcher TBD on Sunday.
VIRGINIA’S CURRENT RECORD & RANKINGS: Virginia stands 14-6 overall, 0-3 in the ACC. UVa is not ranked in this week’s college baseball polls (Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, Sports Weekly/ESPN, NCBWA) but is receiving votes in the Sports Weekly/ESPN Top-25 and the NCBWA Top-35.
Virginia Baseball National Rankings
NCBWA TOP-35 POLLDate UVa's Ranking UVa's RecordPreseason #32 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 7 #32 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 14 #33 2-1, 0-0 ACCFebruary 21 Not Ranked 5-2, 0-0 ACCFebruary 28 Receiving Votes 8-3, 0-0 ACCMarch 7 Receiving Votes 8-6, 0-3 ACCMarch 14 Receiving Votes 13-6, 0-3 ACC
SPORTS WEEKLY/ESPN COACHES TOP-25 POLLDate UVa’s Ranking UVa’s RecordPreseason Receiving Votes (79) 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 7 Receiving Votes (29) 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 14 Receiving Votes (33) 2-1, 0-0 ACCFebruary 21 Receiving Votes (27) 5-2, 0-0 ACCFebruary 28 Receiving Votes (13) 8-3, 0-0 ACCMarch 7 Not Ranked 8-6, 0-3 ACCMarch 14 Receiving Votes (3) 13-6, 0-3 ACC
COLLEGIATE BASEBALL TOP-30 POLLDate UVa’s Ranking UVa’s RecordPreseason #27 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 7 #27 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 14 Not Ranked 2-1, 0-0 ACCFebruary 21 Not Ranked 5-2, 0-0 ACCFebruary 28 Not Ranked 8-3, 0-0 ACCMarch 7 Not Ranked 8-6, 0-3 ACCMarch 14 Not Ranked 13-6, 0-3 ACC
BASEBALL AMERICA TOP-25 POLLDate UVa’s Ranking UVa’s RecordPreseason Not Ranked 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 7 Not Ranked 0-0, 0-0 ACCFebruary 14 Not Ranked 2-1, 0-0 ACCFebruary 21 Not Ranked 5-2, 0-0 ACCFebruary 28 Not Ranked 8-3, 0-0 ACCMarch 7 Not Ranked 8-6, 0-3 ACCMarch 14 Not Ranked 13-6, 0-3 ACC
CAVALIERS MATCH SEASON-HIGH SIX-GAME WINNING STREAK: With its 15-1 victory over Coppin State on March 16th, Virginia posted its second six-game winning streak of the season which is a season-high for the Cavaliers. The streak began with an 8-0 shutout over Longwood (March 8th) and and 13-2 win over James Madison (March 9th) before sweeping Marist three games to none on March 11-13 (3-0, 10-5, 6-0) . UVa then defeated Coppin State. Virginia also won six consecutive games this season from February 18-26. The Cavaliers swept Bucknell in a three-game series on February 18-19 (7-2, 2-0, 13-3) defeated Old Dominion on February 23 (8-0) and swept a doubleheader against Fordham on March 26 (5-0, 13-3).
VIRGINIA BREAKS SCHOOL-RECORD FOR SHUTOUTS IN A SEASON IN JUST 19 GAMES: With its 6-0 shutout win over Marist on March 13th, Virginia posted its seventh shutout this year which set a new UVa school record for most shutouts in a single season after just 19 games. The former record for most shutouts in a single season at Virginia was six set by the 1996 squad. Among the Cavaliers’ seven shutouts this season, with UVa’s 5-0 shutout over Fordham coupled with its 8-0 shutout victory over Old Dominion on February 23rd, it marked the first time Virginia shutout consecutive opponents since defeating Seton Hall 8-0 and 4-0 on March 2, 1996.
ZIMMERMAN FALLS ONE HIT SHORT OF THE CYCLE IN A PAIR OF GAMES: In Virginia’s 10-5 victory over Marist on March 12th, Ryan Zimmerman was a double away from hitting for “The Cycle” in the Cavaliers’ victory. Zimmerman hit a home run in his first at-bat, tripled in his second at-bat and singled in his third at-bat. He finished 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and scored a run. Two games later, Zimmerman went 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and scored two runs in Virginia’s 15-1 victory over Coppin State on March 16th and missed the cycle this time by a triple. After Zimmerman singled ion his first at-bat, he doubled in his second at-bat and hit a home run in his third at-bat. He then singled in his fourth at-bat and was unable to get the elusive triple.
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A TRIPLE: In Virginia’s 10-5 victory over Marist on March 12th, three Cavaliers each hit a triple. UVa’s trio of Tim Henry, Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Florio each tripled. For Henry and Zimmerman, it was their second triple of the season and the fifth of their UVa career. Florio’s triple was his first collegiate triple as a Cavalier.
RBI = RYAN BATS-`EM IN: Virginia’s Ryan Zimmerman has been an RBI machine so far this season. Zimmerman has driven in a team-high 29 RBI and has accounted for 29 of UVa’s 129 RBI this season. He is on pace to break the UVa school record for most RBI in a single season (67).
HALF OF VIRGINIA’S WINS ARE BY SHUTOUT: Heading into Virginia’s three-game series with Maryland, half of UVa’s wins this season (7-of-14) are by shutout. Here is a look at Virginia’s shutout wins this season:
Date Opponent Score2/12 @ UNC Wilmington W, 2-02/19 Bucknell W, 2-02/23 Old Dominion W, 8-02/26 Fordham W, 5-03/8 Longwood W, 8-03/11 Marist W, 3-03/13 Marist W, 6-0
VIRGINIA IN THREE-GAME WEEKEND SERIES ACTION: Virginia has played in five three-game series thus far in 2005 and is 4-1 in weekend series decisions (winning two or more of the three games). UVa defeated UNC Wilmington two games to one (February 11-13), swept Bucknell three games to none, won two of three against Fordham (February 26-27), was swept by Wake Forest three games to none (March 4-6) and swept Marist three games to none (March 11-13). Virginia stands 10-5 overall in weekend series contests this season. Here is a look at the Cavaliers’ results for weekend series games:
Date Virginia's Opponent Results2/11 @ UNC Wilmington L, 5-22/12 @ UNC Wilmington W, 2-02/13 @ UNC Wilmington W, 7-42/18 Bucknell W, 7-22/19 Bucknell (DH 1) W, 2-02/19 Bucknell (DH 2) W, 13-32/26 Fordham (DH 1) W, 5-02/26 Fordham (DH 2) W, 13-32/27 Fordham L, 3-23/4 @ Wake Forest L, 11-83/5 @ Wake Forest L, 15-83/6 @ Wake Forest L, 7-63/11 Marist W, 3-03/12 Marist W, 10-53/13 Marist W, 6-0
SENDING OUT AN S.O.S. – LAMBERT SAVING VIRGINIA IN RECORD FASHION: Virginia’s Casey Lambert, in just his second year as a Cavalier, is already tied for the second all-time at UVa for most saves in a career. As a first-year, Lambert tied the school record for most saves in a single season with eight and already has five this season (in 2005). Lambert is on pace to shatter the career record mark of 18 at Virginia. Here is a look at where Lambert ranks all-time at UVa:
Saves1. Tim LaVigne (1997-00) 182t. Casey Lambert (2004-prs.) 13 Todd Ruyak (1989-92) 134. Greg Haden (1976-79) 85t. Canon Hickman (2001-04) 7 Mark McMillan (1987-90) 7 Keith Seiler (1987-90) 78t. Andy Koontz (1982-85) 6 Billy Cropper (1977-80) 6 Bill Harvey (1974-76) 6
STREET PAVING HIS WAY TOWARD STOLEN BASE RECORD: Virginia’s Matt Street currently ranks sixth all-time at UVa for most stolen bases in a career. Street entered the 2005 season eighth all-time with 43 stolen bases. Here’s a look at where he ranks all-time at Virginia:
Stolen Bases1. David Stone (1999-02) 832. Bill Narleski (1984-87) 723. Adam Robinson (1994-97) 574. Bobby Rivell (1987-90) 565. Chris Kughn (1987-90) 506. Matt Street (2001-pres.) 497. Robbin Marvin (1969-72) 478. John Galloway (1994-97) 449. Ted Kinsman (1995-98) 3910. Chris Sweet (2000-03) 3711. Kevin Clarke (1981-84) 36
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Virginia’s Matt Street and Kyle Werman rank second and third, respectively, in school history for most times hit by a pitch at UVa. Wearing “orange and blue” and turning “black & blue” just might run in the Street family. Matt’s older brother, Dan, also played at UVa and ranks fourth all-time at Virginia after being hit by a pitch 24 times. Here’s a look at where Street and Werman rank at UVa all-time:
Hit-by-Pitch1. Tim LaVigne (1997-00) 512. Matt Street (2001-pres.) 333. Kyle Werman (2001-pres.) 284. Dan Street (1999-02) 245. Justin Counts (1993-96) 206. Adam Robinson (1994-97) 197t. Mark Reynolds (2002-04) 18 Chris Sweet (2000-03) 18 Luis Giraldo (1997-00) 1810. Terry Dan (1969-72) 17
SCORE ON THEM IF YOU CAN: Virginia’s closer Casey Lambert and first-year pitcher Robert Poutier have been very difficult for opponents to get a hit off of, and even harder to score a run. In fact, the duo has combined to pitch 29.2 innings and they have not allowed a single run to score this season. Lambert, one of the top closers in the country, has allowed no runs on just six hits in 11.2 innings pitched and has struck out 17 of the 39 batters he has faced. Lambert has also posted five saves this season. Poutier has tossed 18.0 innings and has allowed no runs on 10 hits and has stuck out 12 batters.
POUTIER PITCHES COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT: First-year RHP Robert Poutier pitched a complete game shutout by going 9.0 scoreless innings and struck out eight batters while scattering just six hits in Virginia’s 8-0 victory over Longwood on March 8th. Poutier became the first Cavalier since Matt Avery to pitch a complete game shutout. Avery accomplished the feat against Princeton on June 6, 2004 in the NCAA Regionals.
VIRGINIA’S POWERFUL ONE-TWO NEWCOMER PUNCH: Virginia’s first-year duo of Sean Doolittle and Brandon Guyer have provided some immediate power to the Cavaliers’ lineup. Doolittle has hit three home runs and Guyer has hit a pair of home runs this season. The duo has combined for five of UVa’s nine home runs on the year.
`HOOS BY THE MONTH: Virginia won eight of its 11 games in the month of February to post a record of 8-3. The Cavaliers lost there first three games in the month of March before winning their next six games and are 6-3 for the month. Here is a look at UVa’s record broken down by the month:
Month UVa's RecordFebruary 8-3, 0-0 ACCMarch 6-3, 0-3 ACC
VIRGINIA CURRENTLY COMPETING IN A 10-GAME HOME STAND: Virginia is currently competing in a 10-game home stand which began on March 8th and will continue through March 23. The Cavaliers opened the home stand with an 8-0 shutout victory over Longwood (3/8) before defeating James Madison 13-2 (3/9). UVa then swept Marist three games to none (3-0, 10-5, 6-0) on March 11-13 before routing Coppin State 15-1 on March 16th. During the 10-game home stand, UVa will host Longwood, James Madison, Marist (three games), Coppin State and Maryland (three games). All ten contests will be played at Virginia’s Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.
CAVALIERS NOT BEATING THEMSELVES WITH ERRORS: Last season, much of the success Virginia enjoyed was due to not beating itself with costly errors. In 2004, UVa established a new single-season school record fielding percentage mark of .973 while committing just 62 errors to their opponents 105. Heading into its three-game series with Maryland, Virginia’s opponents have committed 48 errors to just 21 for UVa. Against Bucknell in UVa’s three-game series with the Bison, Virginia didn’t commit a single error for the series while Bucknell committed 10, including seven errors in one game. Against UNCW in UVa’s three-game series with the Seahawks on February 11-13, Virginia committed just three errors for the series while UNC Wilmington committed eight, including four errors in one game. Against Fordham, the Rams committed five errors (including four in one game) while the Cavaliers committed just two. errors for the series. The Cavaliers won seven of the nine games in the three series with Fordham, Bucknell and UNC Wilmington and had just five errors to their opponents 23 in all three of those series.
O’CONNOR-METER: Virginia head baseball coach Brian O’Connor is in his second year as UVa’s head coach. His career coaching record at UVa stands at 58-21 overall, 18-9 in the ACC.
VIRGINIA PICKED SIXTH IN ACC PRESEASON POLL: Virginia was picked to finish sixth in the 2005 Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll. UVa returns a solid core of position players and a majority of its pitchers from last year’s NCAA Regional advancing team that finished 44-15 overall, 18-6 in the conference. The ACC’s 11 head coaches selected league-newcomer Miami as the top pick in the conference in 2005 with eight first place votes and a total of 118 points. UVa was picked seventh in the 2004 preseason coaches poll last year and finished second. Here is a look at the 2005 ACC Preseason Coaches Poll:
2005 ACC Preseason Baseball Coaches PollRank School Points 2004 Record1. Miami (8) 118 50-13 - Independent2. North Carolina (3) 110 43-21, 14-10 ACC3. Georgia Tech 93 44-21, 18-5 ACC4. Florida State 89 45-23, 16-8 ACC5. Clemson 80 39-26, 14-10 ACC6. Virginia 63 44-15, 18-6 ACC7. NC State 55 36-24, 11-12 ACC8. Wake Forest 34 17-33, 4-20 ACC9. Maryland 30 22-34, 4-20 ACCt-10. Duke 27 25-31, 8-16 ACCt-10. Virginia Tech 27 29-27, 11-15 Big East
(#) denotes first place votes
ZIMMERMAN GATHERS ALL-AMERICAN HONORS: Virginia’s Ryan Zimmerman has been honored by several publications as a 2005 Preseason All-American selection. Zimmerman, a third-year third baseman, was named a Second Team Preseason All-American by Baseball American, a Second Team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and a Third Team Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He was also named USA Baseball’s Athlete of the Year.
PRESEASON PUB: Virginia’s Matt Avery, Casey Lambert, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Zimmerman have garnered preseason attention for their play. Avery was named a Top-10 prospect in the ACC by Baseball America and was tabbed a Second Team All-ACC preseason pick by SEBaseball.com. Lambert was named a Second Team All-ACC preseason choice by SEBaseball.com and Doolittle was named the Preseason Freshman of the Year by Baseball America. Zimmerman, an All-American third baseman, was named the best defensive third baseman in the ACC.
TEAM CAPTAINS: Virginia’s Scott Headd, Jeff Kamrath, Matt Street and Kyle Werman were selected as UVa’s team captains for the 2005 season. Kamrath, Street and Werman are fifth-year seniors and Headd is a true fourth-year.