Cavaliers Advance to Regional Final in Walk-Off Fashion

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Bobby Whalen’s hard-hit chopper to second base in the bottom of the ninth brought home Harrison Didawick to propel Virginia (43-15) to a 5-4 walk-off victory in the Cavaliers’ second game of the NCAA Charlottesville Regional on Saturday (June 1) at Disharoon Park. With the win, UVA advances to the regional final on Sunday (6 p.m.) and awaits the winner of Mississippi State-St. John’s, which is slated for noon on Sunday. 

Virginia’s Eric Becker knocked in a game-high four RBIs for the Hoos on a pair of 2-RBI hits. His second knock of the day – a two-run single in the in the seventh inning – tied the game, 4-4.   

UVA’s Angelo Tonas earned the win despite only tossing one pitch, which resulted in a ground out in the top of the ninth with an MSU runner on third. Starting pitcher Evan Blanco struck out seven batters and allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings of work. First year Matt Augustin entered in relief of Blanco in the seventh and held the Bulldogs scoreless over 2.2 innings, a span in which he combined to strand four MSU base runners, three of which were in scoring position. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• For the second-straight day, Virginia took the initial lead in the second inning. With two outs and two on, Becker drilled a 1-1 pitch off the right center field wall and legged out his third triple of the year.

• The Bulldogs responded in the top half of the third with one swing of the bat, a three-run homer by Hunter Hines. Prior to the long ball, Hines had one hit in his previous 40 at bats.
• MSU added an insurance run in the fourth when Blanco’s pickoff attempt to second sailed off target, allowing Bryce Chance to steal third and continue on home without drawing a throw.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Harrison Didawick’s infield single to shortstop advanced Jacob Ference to second base. Henry Godbout’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position for Becker who delivered his second hit of the day, a two-run, game-tying single up the middle.

• Augustin struck out the final batter with at least one runner in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth innings.

• Whalen had Godbout and Didawick on second and third, respectively, when he stepped up to the plate and went first-pitch swinging, which resulted in a high-bouncing ball that took a short hop in front of the MSU second baseman who could not corral the ball allowing Didawick to score and a celebration ensued.

ADDITIONAL NOTES 

• Becker is the third UVA freshman to drive in four runs in an NCAA postseason game, joining Kyle Teel (vs. DBU – 6/14/21) and Branden Cogswell (vs. Army 6/1/12).
• Saturday’s walk-off win was the fourth in UVA’s NCAA Tournament history and first since Devin Ortiz’s 10th inning homer in the 2021 Columbia Regional Final (6/8/21).
• Virginia has six-walk-off wins this season, Whalen has been at the plate for two of them (Georgia Tech – April 20).
• The come-from-behind win was UVA’s 21st of the season.
• Virginia improved to 27-5 this season when scoring first in 2024.
• Blanco turned in his team-best, fifth quality start (6.0 IP, 3 ER). He has pitched into the seventh inning in his last three starts.
• The win over Mississippi State was UVA’s first in four all-time meetings. All four games have come in NCAA Tournament play.
• Becker has reached base in 27-straight games, the second longest active streak on the team (Ethan Anderson – 29).

UP NEXT 

Virginia advances to the Charlottesville Regional finals and awaits the winner of Mississippi State and St. John’s (38-17-1), which are slated to square off at noon on Sunday. First pitch between UVA and either the Bulldogs or Red Storm is set for 6 p.m.