Nine-Run 8th Inning Propels Virginia Baseball to 9-1 Win Over Columbia

Through the first seven innings of Sunday's game 3 between Columbia and Virginia, neither team had managed to score a run. Over the final two frames, the two teams combined to score 10 runs. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, nine of those runs were scored by UVA.

Jack O'Connor continued his brilliant start to his UVA career on the mound and eventually, the UVA bats broke the scoreless tie with a nine-run eighth inning as No. 19 Virginia completed the series sweep with a 9-1 victory over Columbia on Sunday afternoon at Disharoon Park.

The freshman star Jack O'Connor has gotten off to a remarkable start to his collegiate career, giving up zero earned runs through his first three starts. In six innings of work on Sunday, O'Connor gave up just two hits and a walk and struck out three batters. He retired the side in order in four of the six innings he pitched.

Columbia starter Joe Sheets was also a step ahead of the Virginia hitters, holding UVA scoreless through four innings, although he did give up four hits, two walks, and hit two batters. The Cavaliers had plenty of opportunities to get on the board, but failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Virginia had a runner on second base in the second and third innings, but couldn't bring that runner home.

As Columbia turned to its bullpen in the fifth inning, the Cavaliers had another big scoring opportunity as Justin Rubin, Ethan O'Donnell, and Kyle Teel each drew walks to load the bases, but Casey Saucke grounded out to end the inning.

UVA inserted freshman lefty Bradley Hodges in the seventh inning and he picked up right where O'Connor left off, striking out the side in the top of the seventh. Virginia put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom half of the inning, but once again couldn't bring them home as Jake Gelof and Kyle Teel both flied out to end the inning.

The game was determined in both halves of the eighth inning. In the top half, Hodges gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases for Columbia with just one out. Jay Woolfolk entered the game with the tough challenge of getting the final two outs of the inning without allowing the Lions to take the lead. Woolfolk struck out the first batter he faced on a full count and then got out of the jam with a fly out to preserve the scoreless tie.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Columbia pitching staff and defense started to come apart at the seams. Casey Saucke got on board on an error, advanced to second on a single, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored the game's first run after Harrison Didawick drew a bases loaded walk. Columbia switched pitchers after that, but things only got worse for the Lions. After a Justin Rubin line-out, Griff O'Ferrall hit a sharp grounder that went right through the legs of the Columbia third baseman and down the left field line, scoring Henry Godbout and Ethan Anderson. Both O'Ferrall and Didawick then came around to score on another wild pitch to make it 5-0.

Ethan O'Donnell struck out for the second out of the inning, but the rally continued for the Cavaliers as Jake Gelof and Kyle Teel drew back-to-back walks. Casey Saucke singled to left field to score Gelof and then Ethan Anderson essentially sealed the game for Virginia with a three-run home run to right field, giving UVA a 9-0 lead.

Ethan Anderson deposits one over the RF wall! NINE runs across now in the 8th.

Columbia - 0
UVA - 9

📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/Bs3Uj6R8yF
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) February 26, 2023

Jay Woolfolk remained on the mound in the top of the ninth and he allowed Columbia to scored its only run of the game as Hayden Schott hit a solo home run. But, Woolfolk retired the other three batters he faced in the inning and secured Virginia's 9-1 win.

Now 7-0 on the season, UVA continues its lengthy homestand with a game against VMI on Tuesday at 3pm at Disharoon Park.

To stay up to date on all Virginia Cavaliers sports news, follow CavaliersNow on social media:

Facebook: @CavaliersNow
Twitter: @CavaliersNowFN

See more Virginia baseball news and content: Virginia Baseball on Sports Illustrated

See more Virginia sports news and content: Virginia Cavaliers on Sports Illustrated

Add us as a preferred source on Google