Six-Run Sixth Keys No. 17 Virginia’s Come-From-Behind Win

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 17 Virginia (14-3) scored all six of its runs in the sixth inning in a 6-2 win over William & Mary (10-6) on Tuesday (March 12) at Disharoon Park. The Cavaliers recorded their ninth comeback victory of the season.

With only two hits through five innings, junior Casey Saucke started the sixth inning hit parade with his fifth homer of the year and third in the last two games. Four batters later, Ethan Anderson put UVA up for good with a double down the left field line that plated two. Pinch-hitter Luke Hanson made it 6-2 with a two-RBI double that he ended up scoring on the play thanks to a Tribe throwing error.

Six Cavalier relievers kept William & Mary off the scoreboard for the final 7.2 innings of the game. Ryan Osinski was credited with this team-best, third win of the season after pitching a scoreless top of the sixth inning.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The second batter of the game, Tribe senior Ben Parker, lifted the second pitch he saw over the right field wall to give William & Mary the early 1-0 lead.
• In the second inning, Nate Goranson scored on a wild pitch earning a one-out walk earlier in the frame.
• Before his sixth-inning homer, Saucke fouled pitch off his knee and took some time to recollect himself. The next pitch he saw, was launched 463 feet over the bleachers in left field. Saucke homered twice on Sunday in Miami, including the game-tying blast in the eighth and extended his hit streak to nine games.
• Anderson’s go-ahead double was his ninth hit in the last four games. It marked the 44th double of his career. He’s reached base safely in all 17 games this season.

• Hanson completed the merry-go-round after his double to the gap in right center by taking two bases on an overthrow by William & Mary shortstop Kevin Francella.

• Chase Hungate did the bulk of the heavy lifting for the Cavaliers out of the bullpen, pitching 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. He fanned three batters and got UVA out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the second inning.
• Osinski, Dean Kampschror (0.1 IP, 1 SO), Jack O’Connor (0.2 IP, 2 SO), Angelo Tonas (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Aidan Teel (1.0 IP, 2 SO) allowed just two hits over the final four innings to preserve the victory.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Virginia has scored five or more runs in an inning nine times this season.
• Saucke has reached base safely in 25-straight games dating back to last season.
• Virginia has faced a deficit in 12 of its 17 games this season
• Tuesday marked UVA’s fifth-straight win over William & Mary and the Cavaliers have now won 18 of the last 20 against the Tribe.

UP NEXT

Virginia will host No. 7 Wake Forest in ACC action at Disharoon Park this weekend. The series opener is slated for Friday (March 15) at 4 p.m.