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Gelof Becomes UVA's Career Home Run Leader, Virginia Mercy Rules Richmond 18-0

Jake Gelof broke the UVA program record with his 38th-career home run and the Cavaliers crushed Richmond 18-0 in seven innings

Matt Newton

Virginia Athletics

The record for most career home runs in the 134-year history of the Virginia baseball program has a new owner. With a solo home run into the left field bleachers in the bottom of the fifth inning, Jake Gelof became UVA's new all-time leader with 38 career home runs, a feat that just barely overshadowed an all-around fantastic game for the Cavaliers as No. 7 Virginia crushed Richmond 18-0 on a beautiful Tuesday evening at Disharoon Park. 

After UVA starter Connelly Early worked around a walk to retire the side in the top of the first, the Cavaliers provided some early run support as Griff O'Ferrall got on board with a leadoff single, moved to second on a bunt, and scored on an RBI single from Ethan Anderson. Jake Gelof later came around to score on a wild pitch to give Virginia a quick 2-0 lead. UVA took advantage of Richmond miscues to add another run in the second as Harrison Didawick, was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a passed ball to make it 3-0. 

Early gave up a leadoff double down the left field line in the top of the second, but managed to get out of the inning unscathed thanks to an unorthodox double play. Freshman second baseman Luke Hanson tried to turn two, but his throw sailed well over the head of first baseman Ethan Anderson. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, the ball bounced off the wall on the first base line and came right back to Anderson, who quickly threw the ball home in plenty of time to catch the baserunner at the plate, preventing a run from scoring and ending the inning. 

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, the moment arrived for Jake Gelof, who took an 0-2 fastball from Richmond reliver Will Gersky and hit a low line drive just over the wall in left field for his record-breaking 38th-career home run, surpassing E.J. Anderson (1995-1998) for most homers in UVA program history. 

That Gelof accomplished the feat in less than three seasons makes the achievement all the more impressive. Gelof became Virginia's all-time home run leader in just his 129th game played and his 454th career at-bat. 

"Extremely proud of Jake Gelof. When you break the all-time career record in less than three seasons, it shows his consistency," said Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor. "How about the season he had last year, the one he's had so far this year, it just speaks to how talented he is and how prepared he is every day." 

Gelof's record-breaking homer seemed to have an unleashing effect on the Virginia offense. Ethan Anderson, Anthony Stephan, and Casey Saucke hit consecutive singles to bring another run home. Hanson then walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Harrison Didawick, who blasted a ball that reached the balcony in right field for a grand slam. 

The situation only worsened for the Spiders as they started to hit UVA batters with troubling frequency. O'Ferrall was hit by a pitch and then scored on a double by Ethan O'Donnell. Gelof was then hit by a pitch and Kyle Teel scored O'Donnell with an RBI single. At the end of the inning, Virginia had batted around and scored eight runs on seven hits to blow the game wide open with an 11-0 lead.

After Early threw a 1-2-3 top of the sixth, the Cavaliers followed that up with another crooked number in the bottom of the sixth, what ended up being UVA's final turn at the plate. Colin Tuft drew a walk, Hanson was hit by a pitch, and Didawick walked to load the bases with one out. Justin Rubin hit an infield single and a throwing error by the Richmond third baseman allowed two runs to score. Penn transfer Tommy Courtney then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Didawick. UVA loaded the bases again as both Henry Godbout and Travis Reifsnider were hit by pitches and then Ethan Anderson hammered a long ball to left center for Virginia's second grand slam of the game. 

Brian O'Connor and Richmond head coach Tracy Woodson agreed to institute a run-rule for the end of the seventh inning. Bradley Hodges came in and allowed a pair of two-out singles, but got the final strikeout after that to preserve the shuout and secure Virginia's 18-0 victory. 

UVA's outstanding offensive showing shouldn't distract from the brilliant bounce-back performance of Connelly Early on the mound. After a subpar showing in his lone appearance as a weekend starter at Virginia Tech, Early came back in his next start and earned his seventh win of the season with a final statline of zero earned runs on two hits and four strikeouts. While it was Gelof's day to celebrate breaking the record, the player of the game had to be Ethan Anderson, who went 4 for 5 at the plate with five RBI and two runs scored. 

Virginia (29-4) remains undefeated at home (21-0) and in non-conference play (18-0) this season and will be right back in action on Wednesday at 4pm against Mount St. Mary's before hosting a three-game series against Pittsburgh this weekend. 

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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