BASEBALL: Cavs recover to rout Hokies

By Jay Jenkins

Published: March 28, 2008

David Adams had a painful flashback.
A 12-run setback Wednesday night forced Virginia’s second baseman to think back to an ugly season-ending defeat against Evansville in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
Luckily for the Cavaliers, their most recent loss did not linger long.
Virginia, riding a complete-game performance from starting pitcher Jacob Thompson, claimed the opening game of a weekend set against in-state rival Virginia Tech with ease,
10-1, at Davenport Field on Friday.
The 21st-ranked Cavaliers (21-5, 6-4 ACC) also pounded out 10 hits, including a solo homer from Adams in the bottom of the first, to help shake the memory of Wednesday’s 17-5 loss to George Washington.
“Against Evansville, we did not get a chance to come back,” Adams said. “This was just a great performance all around for us.”
Adams singled out Thompson, who pitched efficiently from the start and used just 28 of his 114 total pitches to retire the first nine Hokies (8-16, 0-10).
“He was sensational,” Adams said. “He did a great job of getting ahead of their hitters the entire game.”
Thompson (4-0) scattered seven hits, including a pair of triples from Virginia Tech left fielder Jose Cueto, to win his 25th career start. The right-handed junior fanned four batters without allowing a walk.
“I felt like he pitched the best game he has this season,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor. “We needed that after the defeat that we suffered [Wednesday].
“Jacob Thompson’s an All-American pitcher for a reason.”
Virginia gave Thompson ample run support in the middle innings, scoring two in the fourth and three more in the fifth to chase Virginia Tech starter Josh Wymer (2-4) from the contest.
UVa third baseman Tyler Cannon drove in the first run in the fourth with an RBI single, salvaging an at-bat that previously appeared to provide an extra-base hit into the corner in right field. Cannon’s first hit, however, was ruled foul.
Leading 4-1 in the fifth, Thompson stranded Cueto at third after a leadoff triple and Jeremy Farrell, David Coleman and Greg Miclat drove in runs for the Cavaliers to race ahead 7-1.
Virginia also added two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth as Thompson continued to shine on the mound as he allowed contact to the Hokies, who had scored 41 runs in their previous three games.
“These guys can hit,” Thompson said. “Virginia Tech hit a lot of balls tonight that could have been hits, but we had guys positioned right defensively.”
Virginia will look to claim the weekend series today at 1 p.m. as it sends senior LHP Pat McAnaney (2-1, 1.30 ERA) to the mound. The Hokies are expected to counter with David Cross (2-0, 10.38 ERA).