Hultzenian effort: Cavs one win away from Omaha

A severe thunderstorm brought the tarp out and cleared the stands at sold out Davenport Field, but play began after a two-hour delay.
PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR

Severe thunderstorms delayed the start of today’s hometown Super Regional debut for the UVA baseball team for two hours, but once play began the Cav made some of their own thunder.

Recent Atlanta Braves draftee Phil Gosselin gave notice of what was to come by blasting a home run over the left-center field fence in the bottom of the first inning. Later Dan Grovatt would hit a two-run shot in the sixth after a double from Keith Werman. Oh, center fielder Jarrett Parker made a spectacular diving catch in the top of the eighth for the second out...look for it on Sports Center!

However, like the passing storm, the Cav bats went quiet against  Oklahoma Sooner pitching for the rest of the game. The Cavs also had a few rare errors, and a questionable decision to sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the eighth lead to a double play. But thanks to a gritty eight inning, six hit, nine strike out performance from Danny Hultzen, who threw 129 pitches–- and a much need save from Kevin Arico–-the Cav’s managed to hold on for a nail-biting 3-2 win.

If the Cavs win tomorrow's 4pm game they will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.