2015 Step Up to the Plate Event Slated for Jan. 24

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Dec. 9, 2014

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia baseball program will hold its 13th annual Step Up to the Plate fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at 6 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.

Virginia will host an evening with special guests Kyle Crockett, Phil Gosselin and Chris Taylor. All three are Virginia alums who were key contributors within the last six seasons and recently made their Major League Baseball debuts – Crockett with Cleveland, Gosselin with Atlanta and Taylor with Seattle.

Tickets for Step Up to the Plate are on sale now and may be ordered in person at the UVa Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall, by phone at 1-800-542-8821 or online at VirginiaSports.com. Sponsored tables may be reserved by calling the Virginia Athletics Foundation at 800-626-8723. Proceeds from the event will support the Virginia Baseball program.

Ticket prices are $70 for adults, $35 for Virginia Baseball alumni, $30 for children 12 and under and $20 for current UVa students. A Family Four Pack is available, which includes two adult and two youth tickets for $175. Sponsored tables for the event are $2,500 and include a reserved table for a party of eight, admission to the pre-event reception and eight General Admission baseball season tickets (no trade opportunity for Reserved seats). The pre-event reception for table sponsors will begin at 4:15 p.m.

Parking for the event is free in the John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall lots.

The evening begins with an autograph session with the 2015 Virginia baseball team and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6 p.m. with comments from UVa head coach Brian O’Connor as well as the introduction of the 2015 team. A buffet dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. A live auction follows the dinner at 7:30 p.m. Also after dinner, Crockett, Gosselin and Taylor will be part of a roundtable discussion. The live and silent auctions will include autographed memorabilia from Virginia and the professional ranks, as well as game tickets, exclusive Virginia Baseball experiences and more.

Crockett made his big-league debut on May 16, 2014, become the first player from the 2013 MLB Draft class to reach the major leagues. The left-hander had a terrific rookie season with the Indians, pitching in 43 games and posting a 4-1 record with a 1.80 ERA. An All-American in 2013, Crockett ranks second in career ERA at UVa (1.98) and fifth in pitching appearances (88). He went 4-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 12 saves in 58 1/3 innings in 2014.

Gosselin started MLB career on Aug. 16, 2013, with the Braves. After being recalled from the minor leagues just after the 2014 All-Star Break, Gosselin hit .266 in 46 games for the Braves while playing all across the infield. Gosselin was a member of three NCAA tournament teams during his time with the Cavaliers and was a key contributor in 2009 when Virginia won the ACC championship and earned its first appearance in the College World Series. Gosselin was a .337 career hitter at Virginia. He ranks sixth in Virginia history in career doubles and 10th in RBI and total bases (345).

Taylor made his Major League debut on July 24, 2014, with the Mariners. He batted .287 while playing in 47 games during the Mariners’ late-season surge and push for the playoffs. Taylor played from 2010-12 for Virginia. He played in 156 games in a UVa uniform, with a .297 career batting average and 172 hits. Taylor played some of his best baseball during the NCAA tournament, with a .400 career average (22-for-55) in the postseason. This includes one of the most notable hits in Virginia baseball history, a walk-off, two-run single in the ninth inning to rally the Cavaliers and send them to the 2011 College World Series in a 3-2 Super Regional win over UC Irvine.

2015 Virginia Baseball Step Up to the Plate An Evening with Special Guests Kyle Crockett, Phil Gosselin and Chris Taylor Date: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, 6 p.m. Location: John Paul Jones Arena Parking: John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall Adult Tickets: $70 Virginia Baseball Alumni: $35 Youth Tickets (12 & under): $30 (includes a Virginia Baseball team autographed ball) Current UVa students: $20 Family Four Pack (2 adult, 2 youth tickets): $175 Sponsored Tables*: $2,500 (call VAF to reserve) *Includes: eight tickets to pre-event reception with Kyle Crockett, Phil Gosselin, Chris Taylor and other Cavalier greats, eight reserved table tickets to Step Up to the Plate and eight General Admission 2015 Virginia baseball season tickets (no trade opportunity for Reserved seats)

Event Timeline:
4:15 p.m.
Pre-event reception for table sponsors
5:30 p.m.
Doors open, silent auction begins and autograph session with 2015 Virginia Baseball Team
6 p.m.
Program begins; Coach O’Connor will introduce 2015 team
6:30 p.m.
Buffet dinner begins
7:30 p.m.
Live auction; an alumni roundtable; the night concludes with silent auction results

For Tickets – call the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-542-UVA1; for tables call the Virginia Athletics Foundation at 1-800-626-8723.

Virginia Baseball poster, schedule card, magnet and t-shirt for all in attendance.