McKay and Ference Lead Virginia Baseball to 16-4 Win Over VMI
Behind a strong starting pitching performance from Cullen McKay and a big night at the plate from Jacob Ference, Virginia (8-0) remained undefeated with a dominant 16-4 victory over VMI on Wednesday night at Disharoon Park.
After both teams went down quietly in the first innings, Virginia got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the second, scoring on a Henry Godbout sacrifice fly and a Jacob Ference RBI double. The Cavaliers tacked on two more runs in the third on RBI singles from Ference and Harrison Didawick.
UVA blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth, as Griff O'Ferrall and Henry Ford each drew walks and then Ethan Anderson doubled down the right field line to score O'Ferrall. Anderson and Ford came around to score on a single from Didawick and then Ference continued his hot night at the plate, driving home two more runs with a double into the gap in right-centerfield to make it 9-0.
Meanwhile, Cullen McKay was virtually untouchable on the mound for the Cavaliers through the first five innings, giving up just two hits. VMI finally broke through with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, but Virginia responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning as Ference delivered another RBI double and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Eric Becker.
UVA scored three more runs in the seventh on a double from Bobby Whalen, a single from Didawick, and a wild pitch. VMI scored three runs off of Charlie Oschell and Matthew Buchanan in the top of the eighth, but Virginia answered with two runs in the bottom half with two-way standout Aidan Teel hitting his first-career home run and Luke Hanson scoring Antonio Perrotta with a single.
Chase Hungate pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal Virginia's 16-4 victory.
Cullen McKay and Jacob Ference share the game ball for this game, as McKay allowed just one earned run and struck out six batters in six innings of work and Ference went 5 for 6 with five RBI and three doubles.
Now 8-0 on the season, Virginia remains at home for a three-game series with UMass this weekend. The series is scheduled to open on Friday at 3pm at Disharoon Park and will be followed by game 2 Saturday at 1pm and game 3 Sunday at 1pm. All three games will stream on ACC Network Extra.
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