Cavs storm back to top Terps

By Jay Jenkins

Published: April 11, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Virginia used its biggest comeback since 2006 to take the opening game in a three-game set at Maryland.
Trailing by two runs entering the eighth inning, the Cavaliers batted around and scored six times en route to a lopsided 11-6 win at Shipley Field that seemed improbable for much of the contest.
The win, just the third on the road this season for the Cavaliers (27-9, 9-7 ACC), was their 16th straight over the Terrapins (20-15, 5-11).
“What I am proud about with our team in this game is that we met adversity and they responded,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor. “That is great to see.”
Virginia reliever Neal Davis, who entered in the sixth inning with Virginia trailing 6-4, pitched three scoreless innings to register his second victory.
More importantly, Davis worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the seventh by getting Maryland catcher Chad Durakis to hit into an inning-ending double play. Durakis hit a hard grounder to UVa third baseman Tyler Cannon, who fired home for a force to catcher Franco Valdes, who in turn relayed to first for the frame’s final out.
“That was huge and it generated a little momentum for us,” said Davis, who scattered three hits and walked a pair.
The Cavaliers exploded in the eighth, connecting on five singles and a double and taking advantage of spotty defense from Maryland.
For the contest, Virginia finished with 12 hits, one shy of Maryland’s tally, and helped starting pitcher Jacob Thompson - who was losing 6-2 at one point - earn a no-decision. The right-hander was chased in the sixth inning after allowing 10 hits and six earned runs. 
“It’s one game,” O’Connor said. “We need to prove we can do it on back-to-back days in this league on the road and we haven’t done that yet, but I am proud of our team.
“Your All-American pitcher goes out there and doesn’t have his stuff and our guys didn’t quit. They didn’t feel sorry for themselves and they met adversity like big dogs. I think that win will serve us well.”
The two teams are scheduled to play today at 4 p.m.