No. 14 Virginia Rallies Late to Level Series

BRIGHTON, Mass.  – No. 14 Virginia (32-12, 13-10 ACC) scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and prevailed 4-3 over Boston College (21-20, 8-15 ACC) on Friday (April 26) to even the three-game ACC road series. The Cavaliers completed their 18th come-from-behind victory of the season.

Sophomore Aidan Teel provided the spark for UVA’s comeback win with a diving catch in left field in the for the third out of eighth inning, halting a bases loaded Boston College threat. The outfield putout was his first of his collegiate career.

The Cavaliers didn’t a need a hit in the top of the ninth to score the go-ahead run. Bobby Whalen came around to score on a fielder’s choice to second base off the bat of Griff O’Ferrall.

Chase Hungate got the final five outs of the game and earned his team-leading sixth win of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Boston College struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. UVA starter Owen Coady limited the damage by escaping a bases loaded jam.
• Virginia immediately responded with a two-spot of its own in the top of the third thanks to a pair of triples. Jacob Ference started the rally with a one-out triple to left, his team-leading third of the season. Two batters later with runners at the corners, freshman Eric Becker plated both runs with his second triple of the year.

• After BC took the lead on a two-out RBI single in the third, the Cavaliers were able to respond with a two-out hit of their own in the sixth. Whalen was the beneficiary of a high turf hop on a groundball to first that got over the outstretched arms of first baseman Kyle Wolff and allowed Casey Saucke to score the tying run.
• Coming in with the bases loaded, Hungate got the final two outs of the bottom of the eighth inning, the final on Teel’s diving play in left field. He worked a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the 13th ACC win of the season.
• Whalen led off the ninth with a walk and after two sacrifice bunts, an error and the ground ball to second by O’Ferrall, the Cavaliers found themselves in front for the first time.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The UVA win sets up the fifth rubber match in eight ACC series played this season. Virginia is 2-2 in rubber matches this season.
• Henry Ford extended his reached base streak to 36 games with a single in the third inning and went 2-for-5 in the contest.
• Teel’s defensive appearance in left was his only his second of the season and first since playing the final two innings in right field against George Washington on March 6.

UP NEXT

First pitch for the series finale has been moved to 12:30 p.m. on ACCNX. The Cavaliers will have Joe Savino (0-1) on the mound. Boston College has yet to announce a starting pitcher.