Cavaliers earn sweep over Hokies

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: March 30, 2008

Brian O’Connor has 200 and counting.
O’Connor wrapped up his 200th victory at Virginia when the Cavaliers wrapped up a three-game series sweep of Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Hokies.
The Cavaliers continued their recent dominance over the Hokies with their 12th straight win in the series, including all 10 games since Virginia Tech entered the ACC in 2005.
Andrew Carraway led Virginia (23-5, 8-4 ACC) on the mound, tossing 5.2 innings while surrendering just one earned run, four hits and three walks. Carraway struck out seven as he received a no decision. In the series, the Cavaliers’ rotation of Jacob Thompson, Pat McAnaney and Carraway combined to go 23.2 innings and allow just four earned runs and 17 hits while striking out 25.
Matt Packer pitched two scoreless innings of relief to move to 4-0 this season. Michael Schwimer pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up his eighth save.
Rhett Ballard (1-3) took the loss for the Hokies after allowing a run, three hits and two walks in 3.1 innings of relief. Andrew Wells started for Virginia Tech and went 4.2 innings and gave up a run, four hits and three walks while striking out two.
Virginia’s Jarrett Parker went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI in earning his first career three-hit game. His single in the sixth inning scored the eventual winning run, and he finished the series 5 for 8 with two doubles and three RBI.
Virginia Tech (8-18, 0-12) scored its lone run in the first inning on a Sean O’Brien double that plated Austin Wates.
Virginia knotted the score in the third inning as Jeremy Farrell cranked a solo home run into the
left-field bleachers with two out for his team-high fifth long ball and 30th RBI.
The Cavaliers scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. After Dan Grovatt and Patrick Wingfield hit consecutive singles to lead off the inning, they advanced on a Franco Valdes sacrifice bunt. After an international walk loaded the bases, Parker ripped a single through the left side of the infield to score Grovatt and give Virginia a 2-1 advantage.
Virginia, now 9-1 on its 12-game homestand, finishes its home stretch with a two-game midweek series with Towson.
The Cavaliers and Tigers play at 6 p.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Wednesday.