Cavaliers Now

No. 21 Virginia Uses Big Sixth Inning to Beat VCU 11-6

The Cavaliers scored five runs in the sixth inning to erase a three-run deficit and completed the season sweep over the Rams

Matt Newton

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

After putting up four runs in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead, the Rams threatened to hand the Cavaliers their first non-conference loss of the season. But behind a crucial five-run sixth inning, No. 21 Virginia completed the regular season sweep over VCU with an 11-6 victory on Tuesday night at Disharoon Park. 

Jake Berry got the start on the mound for UVA and retired six of the first seven batters he faced to put a couple of zeroes on the board to start the game. The UVA offense gave Berry an early lead to work with as Griff O'Ferrall doubled to left field in the bottom of the first, moved to third on a fly out, and came home on a groundout from Jake Gelof. 

VCU tied things up in the top of the third as Nic Ericsson hit a leadoff double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by William Bean, but UVA regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning as VCU starter Evan Bert issued three straight walks, the third of which resulted in a run scored as Gelof walked with the bases loaded. Bert got Kyle Teel to strike out and Ethan Anderson to fly out to end the inning to keep it a one-run game. 

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Rams seized the lead in the top of the fifth as Berry got the first two outs, but then surrendered a single and a walk before getting pulled from the game. Jacob Hodorovich entered the game and proceeded to give up two walks and a single, allowing two runs to score. Bradley Hodges came in and gave up a two-run double to Jacob Selden before finally getting a groundout to end the inning with VCU suddenly leading 5-2. 

UVA got one run back in the bottom of the fifth as Harrison Didawick hit a line drive to the gap in right center that one-hopped off the face of the VCU center fielder, allowing Didawick to leg out a leadoff triple. Ethan O'Donnell then hit a deep fly ball to right field, allowing Didawick to score. 

The tides changed back in the favor of the Cavaliers in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by a solo home run from Kyle Teel. 

Anderson followed that up with a double down the right field line and then Anthony Stephan brought him in with a double of his own. O'Ferrall lined a ball into the gap in left center field to score two runs and then he came around to score on an Ethan O'Donnell single. UVA scored five runs on five hits in the inning to regain control of the game, taking an 8-5 lead. 

The Cavaliers used small ball to tack on another run in the bottom of the seventh, as Casey Saucke hit a leadoff single, moved to second on a bunt single from Stephan, advanced to third on a fly out by Henry Godbout, and scored on a fielder's choice grounder from Colin Tuft. 

VCU answered with a run in the top of the eighth on a solo homer by Jake Thilges, but the Cavaliers responded in turn as Ethan O'Donnell hit a two-run home run into the UVA bullpen in right field to make it 11-6. 

That score held as the final as Angelo Tonas retired the side in order in the top of the ninth to secure the victory for Virginia. 

Bradley Hodges was credited with the win, his second of the season. Griff O'Ferrall went 3 for 4 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, two RBI, and three runs scored and Ethan O'Donnell went 2 for 3 with four RBI. 

Virginia improves to 36-11 overall and 23-0 in non-conference play. The Cavaliers will look to preserve that record on Wednesday as they host JMU at 6pm at Disharoon Park. UVA then has the weekend off for final exams. 

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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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