Cavs rally for win over Terps

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: April 12, 2008

In College Park, Md., Virginia apparently has no problem doing things the hard way.
After failing behind early against Maryland for the second straight game, the Cavaliers mounted a rally to claim what proved to be a series-securing victory.
UVa first baseman Jeremy Farrell planted a pitch over the left-field wall in the fifth inning for a three-run homer that propelled the Cavaliers to a 5-4 victory over Maryland on Saturday.
Virginia, which won 11-6 on Friday, improved to 28-9 overall (10-7 ACC) and won its 17th straight over the Terrapins.
“This was a big win for team, and I am proud of how our team remained resilient throughout,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor. “Every win on the road in the ACC is big.”
Maryland took an early lead in the second after catcher Mike Moss drilled a three-run homer to center off Virginia starter Pat McAnaney.
“Moss took a good swing, but Pat really buckled down,” O’Connor said. “I think he knew that three runs were not going to win the ballgame.”
McAnaney, who entered having allowed only nine earned runs on the season, pitched into the eighth inning to improve to 4-1 overall. The southpaw allowed four hits and four earned runs, but fanned nine batters.
Virginia’s offense generated a pair of runs in the third inning after Tyler Cannon and David Adams reached base and advanced from first to third on pitches that sailed to the backstop.
“You will take what they give you in the game of baseball,” O’Connor said.
Maryland scored a lone run in the eighth, but reliever Matt Packer escaped a jam in the eighth and Michael Schwimer was perfect in the ninth.
“Schwimer was lights out,” O’Connor said. “It was great to see him pitch that way on back-to-back days.”
Cannon led Virginia in the contest with three hits.
UVa will try to complete the sweep today at 1 p.m.