Doolittle Leads Blue to 2-0 Win in Orange-Blue Series Opener
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Oct. 12, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – – Junior left-handed pitcher/first baseman Sean Doolittle struck out seven in five shutout innings and went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Blue team to a 2-0 victory over the Orange in the first game of the Orange-Blue series at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium Thursday night. Freshman Matt Packer finished 2-for-2 for the Orange Team.
“This was a very good game one,” UVa head coach Brian O’Connor said. “There was good pitching and defense, which are fundamentals that we build our program around. Sean (Doolittle) looked good tonight. Our guys take this series very seriously. Blue played well tonight, but I’m sure Orange is going to come out looking for a win tomorrow.”
Blue reliever Mike Schwimer pitched two scoreless innings for the save. He had two strikeouts. Orange starter Pat McAnaney settled down after the first inning. He allowed two runs on six hits and struck out four in the loss. Alex Smith tossed one scoreless inning for Orange.
The Blue team struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Right fielder Brandon Marsh singled to left, then stole second on an errant pitch-out. He scored on Doolittle’s double deep into the left center gap. Second baseman David Adams made it 2-0 on the next at bat with a single to right.
The two runs were all the Blue would need, as Doolittle paralyzed the Orange offense, striking out seven. The Orange threatened in the fifth with one out, when catcher Beau Seabury singled then reached third on a Matt Packer double. Doolittle quelled any chance of an Orange rally, inducing right fielder Justin Armistead to pop out to shortstop, and then striking out center fielder Mike Mitchell.
The Blue team looked to add to their lead in the third, when shortstop Corey Hunt led off the inning with a single and then advanced to second on Brandon Marsh’s sacrifice bunt. Doolittle then singled to shallow center, but Mitchell gunned down Hunt at home plate spoiling the opportunity for the Blue.
Both teams saw impressive defense at third base from freshman Tyler Cannon and senior John Scaglione. Orange shortstop Greg Miclat also looked sharp in a bases-loaded double play in the sixth inning. Blue first baseman Zach Carter lined a pitch from Smith into the gap, but Miclat dove, caught it, then flipped to second baseman Patrick Wingfield to force out Scaglione at second base.
Miclat, Jeremy Farrell and Seabury each had one hit for Orange. Hunt, Marsh, Adams and Scaglione each finished with a hit for the Blue Team.
The Cavaliers will be back on the field Friday night for the second game Orange-Blue Series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Admission is free to the public.