Orange Downs Blue 8-1, Takes First Series

Oct. 19, 2016

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Orange team clinched the first three-game series of the 2016 Orange & Blue World Series with an 8-1 win Tuesday afternoon at Davenport Field. The Orange won Games 1 and 3, while the teams played to a 6-6 tie in Game 2.

Orange and Blue World Series Format
All games will consist of either seven or nine innings, which will be determined prior to each game.

The seven games will be broken up into two three-game series (Games 1-3 and Games 4-6 are separate series) as well as a stand-alone Game 7. If a given team wins the first two games of either series, the third game of that series will be played based on run differential of the first two games to allow the trailing team a chance to still win the series. Each team is encouraged to score as many runs as possible and not worry about running up the score.

There is no admission charge for any of Virginia’s exhibition games or Orange and Blue World Series contests. Free parking will be available in the University Hall lot. Fans should enter Davenport Field for all fall games along the first-base line and not the main gate. The best route to reach this entrance is by using the road adjacent to the Lannigan Field track complex.

GAME 2 – Blue 6, Orange 6
The Blue team staged a sixth-inning rally to battle back as the teams played to a 6-6 tie last Friday in a game that was called after eight innings. Freshman Drew Blakely (Galesburg, Mich.) had three of the Blue team’s six hits, while Andy Weber (So., Aurora, Ohio) knocked in three runs.

Clement went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Orange, while Cayman Richardson (Fr., Mechanicsville, Va.) also had a pair of hits.

Orange starter Daniel Lynch (So., Henrico, Va.) worked 3 2/3 innings innings and allowed three runs, two hits and four walks. Out of the back of the bullpen, Chesdin Harrington (So., Alexandria, Va.) gave the Orange 2 1/3 shutout innings to end the game. Blue starter Alec Bettinger (Sr., Woodbridge, Va.) pitched four innings, allowing four runs (three earned), six hits and two walks.

After the Orange scored a first-inning run on an RBI single from Robbie Coman (Gr., Lake Worth, Fla.), the Blue countered with three runs in its half of the inning. Justin Novak (Jr., Tokyo, Japan) walked with the bases loaded to tie the game, and Weber reached on a fielder’s choice to score Charlie Cody (Jr., Chesapeake, Va.). Caleb Knight (Jr., Checotah, Okla.) then stole home for a 3-1 lead.

The Orange grabbed the lead back with a three-run fourth inning. A run-scoring double from Jack Weiller (So., Waccabuc, N.Y.) pulled the Orange to a 3-2 deficit before Clement hit a two-run single to left for a 4-3 advantage.

The Orange stretched its lead to 6-3 with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Cameron Comer (So., Powell, Ohio) hit an RBI single in the fifth inning to plate Cameron Simmons (So., Royersford, Pa.), and Clement doubled in Jake McCarthy (So., Scranton, Pa.) for another run in the sixth.

The Blue tied the game in its half of the sixth. Weber bounced a single into right field to bring Knight and Smith home, and Blakely followed with a single off Harrington to bring Novak home with the tying score.

GAME 3 – Orange 8, Blue 1
The Orange team used a pair of four-run innings as well as stellar pitching to cruise to an 8-1 win in Game 3. Starter Derek Casey (So., Mechanicsville, Va.) worked 4 1/3 shutout innings to earn the win, while Jordan Dosey (Fr., Yucaipa, Calif.) and Tommy Doyle (Jr., Vienna, Va.) combined to finish off the win.

Ernie Clement (Jr., Rochester, N.Y.) led the Orange’s nine-hit day with a 3-for-4 performance, while Comer recorded a pair of hits. Pavin Smith (Jr., Jupiter, Fla.) had an RBI single for the Blue, which was limited to four hits.

Blue starter Jackson Tedder (Fr., Beavercreek, Ohio) worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing four runs.

The Orange jumped out fast, scoring three runs before an out was recorded in the game. Clement singled in McCarthy and after a Coman single, Nate Eikhoff (So., Bristow, Va.) lined a two-run triple into the left-field corner. After Simmons walked, Comer grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

The lead doubled to 8-0 in the fourth inning. Comer cranked an RBI double to left and later came home as part of a two-run double from freshman Will Allocca (Richmond, Va.). Allocca scored when Coman hit into a double play.

The Blue broke up the shutout bid in the fifth inning when Smith singled home Jalen Harrison (Fr., Palmyra, Va.).

Orange & Blue World Series Schedule
Game 1: Orange 8, Blue 6 (7)
Game 2: Blue 6, Orange 6 (8)
Game 3: Orange 8, Blue 1 (7) (Orange wins first 3-game series)
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Game 4: Fri., Oct. 21, 6 p.m.
Game 5: Tue., Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m.
Game 6: Fri., Oct. 28, 6 p.m.
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Game 7: Sun., Oct. 30, 1 p.m.