Cavaliers Now

Virginia Shuts Out Radford 8-0, Finishes Unbeaten in Non-Conference Play

The Cavaliers became the first Division I college baseball team to finish undefeated in non-conference play since 2015

Matt Newton

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

On Wednesday afternoon, the Virginia baseball team accomplished something that no other college baseball team has done since 2015, finishing undefeated in non-conference play with an 8-0 victory over Radford at Disharoon Park. This also marks the first time in UVA program history that the Cavaliers have finished non-conference action unbeaten, going a perfect 25-0 against non-ACC opponents in the regular season. 

The Wahoos put the finishing touches on their milestone achievement thanks to a gem from the UVA pitching staff, which held Radford scoreless on just four hits and recorded a combined 12 strikeouts between seven different Cavalier pitchers. Connelly Early got the start, but went just one inning before being replaced by Jack O'Connor, who struck out five batters in three perfect innings and earned the victory.

Brian O'Connor hinted at some possible pitching rotation changes entering the final stretch of the season and Wednesday's game saw normal mid-week starter Connelly Early pitch just one inning, while Jack O'Conner - Virginia's typical Sunday starter - pitched three innings out of the bullpen, and Brian Edgington - another weekend starter who has been struggling lately - threw one inning out of the bullpen as well. Angelo Tonas, Edgington, Bradley Hodges, Kevin Jaxel, and Jay Woolfolk each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. It will be very interesting to see if there are any changes to Virginia's pitching rotation this weekend against Louisville. 

On the offensive side, Virginia got on the board in the second inning on a solo blast from Ethan Anderson that left the stadium, clearing the concourse above the UVA bullpen in right field. 

Another long ball followed in the third inning as Jake Gelof delivered a two-run homer to left center field, his 19th homer of the season. 

The Cavaliers scored another run in the third on an RBI double down the right field line by Anthony Stephan. Virginia added two more runs in the fourth on an RBI infield single from Gelof and an RBI groundout from Anderson. Gelof and Anderson combined to drive in five of UVA's eight runs. 

After a scoreless fifth and sixth inning, Griff O'Ferrall hit an RBI single to center field in the seventh and then a couple of walks and an error brought Gelof home in the eighth to give the Cavaliers an 8-0 lead that proved to be plenty given UVA's brilliant pitching performance. 

The win improves Virginia to 38-11 overall and 29-4 at home this season. UVA will host its final ACC series of the regular season this weekend as Louisville comes to Charlottesville. Game 1 is set for Friday at 6pm at Disharoon Park. 

To stay up to date on all Virginia Cavaliers sports news, follow CavaliersNow on social media:

Facebook: @CavaliersNow
Twitter: @CavaliersNowFN

See more Virginia baseball news and content: Virginia Baseball on Sports Illustrated

See more Virginia sports news and content: Virginia Cavaliers on Sports Illustrated

Published
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.

Home/Baseball