Virginia Baseball Ascends to No. 1 in Polls for First Time

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After a strong opening weekend at nationally-ranked East Carolina, the Virginia baseball team has earned a No. 1 national ranking by Baseball America and Rivals.com. It marks the first No. 1 ranking in school history for the Virginia baseball program.

“It’s exciting and an honor to be the No. 1 team in the country,” Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor said. “I feel like we had a really good weekend against a very good East Carolina ballclub. It’s the program’s first time to be ranked No. 1 and anytime something new happens, it’s exciting, but our players know they have to come out, compete and continue to play the game the right way.”

UVa opened its season last weekend in impressive fashion by winning two of three games in front of large, hostile crowds at East Carolina, which was ranked as high as No. 11 nationally.

By virtue of its No. 1 ranking, the UVa baseball team becomes the 11th athletics program at Virginia to garner a No. 1 poll ranking, joining men’s basketball, women’s basketball, field hockey, football, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, rowing, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and men’s tennis.

The baseball program also is the third team at Virginia this season to earn a top national ranking – the men’s soccer team won the national championship and finished No. 1 in the polls, while men’s tennis currently is ranked No. 1.

Virginia opens its home schedule this week, playing George Washington Wednesday before taking on Rhode Island in a three-game series Friday through Sunday.