Baseball: Benick, Priftis, Stone to be inducted into UVA Hall of Fame

jerryratcliffe.com

Posted on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, 1:37 am

Follow Jerry Ratcliffe on Twitter

Advertising inquiries: Connect with us

Email Jerry Ratcliffe: jratcliffe7000@gmail.com

 

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

uva baseball

Photo: UVA Athletics

Head coach Brian O’Connor and the Virginia baseball program announced that it will induct three former players – Jon Benick (1999-01), George Priftis (1980-83) and David Stone (1999-02) – into the UVA Baseball Hall of Fame in a private ceremony this January.

Established in the summer of 2017, the Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame has recognized 41 former student-athletes and coaches that span the 135 years of baseball at the University. Hall of Fame plaques are on permanent display at Disharoon Park on the right field line concourse.

In order to be considered for hall of fame induction, former student-athletes needed to be five years removed from exhaustion of college eligibility. Players and coaches were selected based on accolades earned as a player or coach while at Virginia, distinguishing careers in amateur or professional baseball and/or significant contributions through work or service made to the university.

“One of the highlights in our program each year is the ability to recognize the accomplishments of our former players,” O’Connor said. “Jon, George and David had exceptional careers while wearing the Cavalier uniform and make up another well deserving class for our Hall of Fame. I’m thrilled that they are being honored for their accomplishments and am excited to welcome them back to Grounds this January.”

Due to scheduling conflicts in John Paul Jones Arena, there will not be a Step Up to the Plate event this year. The 2024 Cavaliers will host “Meet the Team” event on January 27 at 4:30 p.m.  with more details to be announced in January.

2024 VIRGINIA BASEBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

1B/UTL – Jon Benick (1999-01)

  • Two-time All-ACC selection. Named to the First Team at first base in 2000 after collecting second team honors as a utility player in 1999.
  • Ninth round pick (270th overall) of the San Diego Padres in the 2001 MLB Draft.
  • Set the single-season record for hits (88) in a season in 1999.
  • Hit 18 home runs in 2001, the second most in program history at the time and still stands as the third-most in a season ever.
  • Left UVA ranked second in career home runs (35), second most career RBI (162) and fourth-most in total bases (372).
  • Named to the 2000 ACC All-Tournament Team.
  • Career: .323 (216 for 669), 121 runs, 44 2B, 1 3B, 35 HR, 160 RBI in 168 games played

INF – George Priftis (1980-83)

  • Two-time All-ACC selection, earned first team honors at second base in 1983 and second team accolades at third base in 1982.
  • Served as a team captain in 1983
  • Drafted in the 26th round (644th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in the 1983 MLB Draft
  • Set the school single season RBI record twice, 46 in 1981 and then 57 in 1982.
  • Left UVA as the career record holder for RBI (158) and walks (112). Still ranks in the top-10 in both categories.
  • His .491 on-base percentage in 1983 was the second-highest ever at the time and is still tied for the fifth-highest in program history.
  • Batted .361 in 1982, the sixth-highest in the ACC.
  • Holds the program record for assists (9) in an ACC Tournament game.
  • Career: .335 (191 for 570) with 128 runs, 32 2B, 2 3B, 20 HR, 158 RBI in 163 career games.

OF – David Stone (1999-2002)

  • Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2001 & 2002)
  • UVA career leader in stolen bases (83) and walks (156)
  • At the time of graduation, his 83 stolen bases were the 15th most in ACC history, still ranks 21st in league history as of 2023.
  • Collected 276 career hits and played in 226 career games, both are the second most in UVA history.
  • As of 2023, ranked in the top-10 in eight different career or single-season categories
  • Walked 43 times in 2001, the second most in a single season at the time, still ranks ninth all-time as of 2023.
  • Set the UVA single-season record with 26 stolen bases in 2002 (has since been surpassed, currently ranks 4th).
  • Left UVA ranked fourth all-time with 174 career runs scored (currently ranks seventh).
  • Selected in the 36th round (1,087th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in the 2002 Draft.
  • Stone was a Biology major at Virginia and graduated with a 3.902 grade point average.
  • Career: .324 (276 for 851), 174 runs, 39 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 113 RBI, 83 for 102 SB in 226 career games