UVA adds 3 right-handed hurlers through transfer portal

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia has added three right-handed pitchers to its roster through the transfer portal for the 2025 season.

The Cavaliers, coming off their third College World Series appearance in the last four years, needed to strengthen the overall pitching staff.

Will Riley, a 6-foot righty, was second-team All-Southern Conference this past season for VMI. Riley struck out 213 batters over his career with the Keydets, sixth-most in program history. He posted a 5-6 record in ‘24 as a full-time starter and had an ERA of 6.78.

Wesley Arrington, who grew up in Keswick and played football and baseball at The Covenant School in Charlottesville, is a grad transfer from the University of Lynchburg.

Arrington is 6-3, 210 pounds, and posted a 10-2 record for the Hornets, who made it back to the Division III College World Series this month after winning the national title in 2023.

Arrington pitched three complete games, all in the postseason in ‘24, including a no-hitter against Randolph-Macon, earning him the ODAC Tournament’s “Most Outstanding Player” award.

He also stacked up 55 appearances and 45 starts at Lynchburg, including 16 starts this past season, putting together a 3.86 ERA with 103 strikeouts and 37walks.

Meanwhile, Alex Markus, who had 13 starts and 18 appearances for William & Mary last season, and averaged more than a strikeout per inning (42.2 IP), is an additional grad transfer for UVA.

Markus, who has a fastball that clocks between 94 and 96 mph, had a 5.70 ERA for the Tribe, with 46 strikeouts and 32 walks.