Virginia takes first ACC series of season over No. 7 NC State with 10-3 rubber-match win

jerryratcliffe.com

Posted on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2020, 9:51 pm

Follow Jerry Ratcliffe on Twitter

Advertising inquiries: Connect with us

Email Jerry Ratcliffe: jratcliffe7000@gmail.com

 

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

Virginia won its first Atlantic Coast Conference series of the season with a 10-3 game-three victory over No. 7 NC State on Sunday at Disharoon Park. It marked the Cavaliers first series win over the Wolfpack (13-2, 1-2 ACC) since 2013.

Sophomore Zack Gelof hit the first of his two home runs on the day in the bottom of the second inning as part of a six-run frame for the Cavaliers, who improved to 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in the ACC. His two-run blast capped nine-batter inning for the Cavaliers. Five of the six runs scored with two outs.

Gelof hit his second homer in the seventh, a solo shot that cleared the top of the bleachers in left field. The second-year third baseman went 2-for-5 with a pair of homers, two runs scored and three RBI. He now has five long balls, moving him into a tie with Chris Newell for the team lead.

Freshman Max Cotier was another offensive catalyst for Virginia with three hits and a season-high four RBI. Cotier tripled in two runs in the big second inning and scored on Gelof’s first home run. The triple was his fourth of the season, the most in the ACC.

On the mound, first year lefty Nate Savino had his best outing of the year. He pitched into the fifth inning, allowed one earned run and struck out a pair. He was credited with his first collegiate victory.

With the bases loaded in the fifth, reliever Paul Kosanovich struck out the final two batters of the frame, Patrick Bailey and Devonte Brown, the NC State three and four hitters, respectively. Bailey has three grand slams to his credit this season alone.

Stephen Schoch and Andrew Abbott combined to pitch the final 3.1 innings. The Cavalier bullpen did not surrender an earned run over the final five innings. Schoch made is 10th appearance of the season, logging 2.1 innings.

Nic Kent, Chris Newell and Brendan Rivoli rounded out the five multi-hit performers for the Cavaliers. Virginia totaled 14 hits, the sixth time this season the team has racked up 10 or more base knocks in a game.

Virginia concludes its 15-game home stand with a midweek series against UMass-Lowell. The first game is set for Tuesday at 1 p.m. and will wrap on Wednesday with a 11-a.m. start.

Box Score

Additional Notes

  • Virginia has defeated its last two opponents ranked in the top 10 at home, taking two of three against No. 5 Louisville last season.
  • NC State had won three straight series against Virginia coming into the weekend.
  • The last player to hit two home runs in the same game was Brendan Rivoli last season against James Madison on April 9.
  • The Cavaliers have hit a home run in eight straight games.
  • NC State starting pitcher David Harrison had allowed one run in 15.2 innings pitched (0.57 ERA) coming into the game. He was responsible for five of the 10 runs scored by the Cavaliers in the contest.
  • Marc Lebreux and Kent have reached base in 13 straight games. Lebreux and Logan Michaels are currently riding nine-game hit streaks.