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Baseball
Cavalier Baseball Downs Bulldogs in Season Opener, 5-3
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Feb. 10, 2006
CONWAY, S.C. – – Senior left-handed pitcher Mike Ballard held The Citadel to one earned run in seven innings and freshman second baseman David Adams made his debut going 2-for-3 with a home run as Virgnia won its season opener, 5-3, Friday afternoon in the first game of the Springmaid Beach Resort Tournament at Watson Stadium. Casey Lambert earned his first save of the season striking out two in one inning.
“It was a great way to start off the season,” UVa head coach Brian O’Connor said. “Mike Ballard was outstanding today battling through seven innings and only giving up one earned run. It was fun to see our two freshmen in the line-up, David Adams and Jeremy Farrell, swing the bat. It was a good effort by everyone and we were happy to get the win.”
Ballard tossed seven innings allowing one earned run while striking out four batters before being relieved by Sean Doolittle and Lambert. Doolittle pitched an inning and struck out one as UVa pitcherscombined for seven strikeouts.
Virginia jumped on top early with two runs in the first inning on sacrifice flies from Sean Doolittle and Brandon Guyer. Mike Mitchell walked and Brandon Marsh singled to lead off the inning. The Cavaliers then called for a double steal advancing the runners. Mitchell scored when Doolittle flied out to center field and Marsh came around when Guyer flied out to right flied putting the Hoos ahead, 2-0.
Adams’ first career home run – a two-run shot on a 3-2 count – in the bottom of the second inning gave the Hoos a 4-0 advantage.
The Citadel made it 4-1 after an RBI single from Chris Swauger scored Trent Weathers in the top of the fourth.
Virginia extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Guyer scored when Tom Hagan hit into a double play with runners on the corners.
The Bulldogs rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh. Meade led off the inning with a single to center field. Matt Arnold followed with a walk giving the Bulldogs two runners with no outs. After Brady Mashak’s sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, Tripp Cappelmann reach on an error plating Meade as The Citadel came within, 5-2. The Bulldogs made it, 5-3, when Weathers grounded out to score Arnold.
Doolittle and Lambert then combined to strike out three of the last six batters of the game to preserve the win.
Guyer, Marsh and Farrell each had one hit for the Cavaliers.
Chris Swauger and Sonny Meade each had two hits for The Citadel. Ryan Owens suffered the loss for the Bulldogs. Owens allowed four earned runs in five innings and added a strikeout. Justin Smith pitched the final three innings, striking out four.
The Cavaliers continue play in the Springmaid Beach Resort Tournament Saturday when UVa takes on Coastal Carolina at 3:30 p.m. Freshman RHP Jacob Thompson is slated to start for the Cavaliers while coastal will counter with LHP Andy DeLaGarza. The game will be be broadcast over the internet by Coastal at www.goccusports.com. Fans can also follow gametracker via www.virginiasports.com.