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Virginia Falls To N.C. State In Rubber Match, 1-0
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April 10, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Cavaliers (21-11, 5-8 ACC) fell to the N.C. State Wolfpack (24-10, 7-8 ACC) by the score of 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium in front of a season-high 1,915 spectators. NCSU’s Brian Aragon scored the lone run of the game in the top of the sixth inning and it was enough to give the Wolfpack the victory as N.C. State won the three-game series two games to one. All three contests of the series were decided by shutout.
After falling to N.C. State 6-0 on Saturday, Virginia lost consecutive games by shutout for the first time since the 1999 season. The Wolfpack have now defeated the Cavaliers in 14 of the last 17 games played between UVa and NCSU in the all-time series.
“That was a very difficult game and unfortunately we just didn’t get timely hits today,” said Virginia head baseball coach Brian O’Connor. “That is what this game of college baseball is all about. Their starting pitcher (Gib Hobson) did an excellent job, and it was a great pitching match-up. You don’t find too many times on ACC weekends where there are three shutouts. We had opportunities but we just didn’t take advantage of them. (Joey) Devine was tremendous. We got to him a little bit but that’s why he is an All-American and closed out the game. He has great stuff. We just need to get back out here on Tuesday night and regroup and get back to winning baseball.”
After five scoreless innings of baseball, N.C. State scored the only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. The Wolfpack’s Aragon reached base on chopper to first base that bounced off the glove of UVa first baseman Josh Darby which allowed him to advance to second on the play. One batters later, Aragon advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Pond. That brought up Matt Devine who then hit a line drive right at UVa shortstop Ryan Zimmerman who was unable to come up with the ball, allowing Aragon to score of the play, Aragon’s run proved to be the game-winner.
Virginia starting pitcher Jeff Kamrath (5-3) pitched a very strong game despite taking the loss. Kamrath went 5.1 innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits and stuck out five batters. Reliever Sean Doolittle pitched 3.2 scoreless innings and also struck out five batters.
N.C. State starting pitcher Gib Hobson (5-1) picked up the win after going 6.0 innings and allowed no runs on three hits and struck out five batters. The Wolfpack’s Joey Devine pitched the final three innings in relief to post his sixth save of the season. Devine allowed no runs on four hits to also go along with five strikeouts.
With the loss, Virginia’s record falls to 21-11 overall, 5-8 in the ACC. The victory improves N.C. State’s record to 24-10 overall, 7-8 in the conference.
Virginia will return to home action on Tuesday, April 12th when the Cavaliers face Norfolk State in a non-conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.
— UVa —