Tuesday afternoon, the Virginia Cavaliers (27-22) began their ACC Baseball Tournament run against the Virginia Tech Hokies (27-23). And, on a beautiful day in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Cavaliers once again bested the Hokies in the Commonwealth Cup matchup, by a final score of 3-2.
The Hoos started the game hot, opening the first inning with three Ks from starting pitcher Zach Messinger (5.1 IP) to get the Cavaliers behind the plate. While Virginia did leave two men on base in the bottom of the first, their drought did not last long.
In the bottom of the second, a sac fly from Jake Gelof, who started the game at first base, brought Logan Michaels in for the Cavaliers first run of the postseason. The offense continued to roll for Virginia through the third, when Kyle Teel hit a two-run home run bringing Zack Gelof across home plate.
In the top of the sixth, it was the Hokies who would mount their own attack, as shortstop Tanner Schobel hit a two-run home run against Messinger, ending his afternoon.
Following the home run, Virginia tried out a multitude of relievers in Brandon Neeck (0.2 IP), Blake Bales (1.0 IP), Andrew Abbott (1.0 IP), and Kyle Whitten (1.0 IP). The Hokies, on the other hand, remained more conservative in their bullpen, opening with P Alford (3.0) using only one reliever in Shane Connolly (5.0 IP), who only allowed 1 hit to the Cavaliers.
The Virginia Cavaliers will continue ACC pool play Friday, May 28 against Notre Dame in Charlotte, N.C. and on the ACCNX.
