No. 8 Virginia Baseball Pulls Away for 8-3 Win Over High Point

What was a two-run game through five innings turned into a more comfortable win for the Cavaliers after putting up a combined five runs in the sixth and seventh innings. No. 8 Virginia baseball remained unbeaten on the season with an 8-3 victory over High Point on Tuesday afternoon at Disharoon Park.

Connelly Early got off to a rough start on the mound for the Cavaliers, as Brett Ahalt took the first pitch of the game from Early to left center field for a solo home run. But Early bounced back nicely after that, giving up just three baserunners through the first six innings of the game, including a stretch in which he retired 11-consecutive batters.

The Virginia bats made sure that Early wasn't pitching from behind for long. Ethan O'Donnell was walked on four pitches and moved to second on a Jake Gelof single before coming around to score on a base hit to right field from Kyle Teel. In the bottom of the second inning, Anthony Stephan drew a walk and then Harrison Didawick went opposite field for a two-run home run to give Virginia a 3-1 lead.

Tuesday's are for Oppo 🌮s at The Dish!

Harrison Didawick gives UVA a 3-1 lead in the B2!

📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/vVAmMC8qhY
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) March 21, 2023

The score remained 3-1 into the sixth inning as neither team scored despite Virginia having opportunities to take control with runners in scoring position in the third and fourth innings. Back-to-back batters getting hit by a pitch gave UVA a golden opportunity in the bottom of the sixth and this time, the Cavaliers capitalized. Griff O'Ferrall delivered a double down the left field line, scoring two runs to make it 5-1.

Virginia blew the game wide open in the bottom of the seventh. Ethan Anderson hit an RBI double, Anthony Stephan hit an RBI single, and Harrison Didawick smoked a ball into the right field corner for an RBI triple, giving UVA an 8-1 lead.

High Point got two runs back in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by Trenton Pallas and a sacrifice fly from Brett Ahalt. But the Virginia bullpen managed to finish off the game with no further damage, securing the 8-3 victory.

Connelly Early improved to 5-0 on the season after pitching 6.2 innings, giving up just one earned run on four hits, and striking out a career-high 10 batters, eliciting a well-earned standing ovation as he exited the game.

A new career-high, 1️⃣0️⃣ strikeouts for Connelly Early! He exits in the seventh to a standing ovation!

📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/5oriH4SC0n
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) March 21, 2023

Jacob Hodorovich gave up two runs in 1.1 innings of work and Angelo Tonas finished the game in the ninth. Virginia using only two arms out of the bullpen was important with the Cavaliers set to play another midweek game on Wednesday.

Now 18-2 overall, Virginia is back in action on Wednesday with a home game against Georgetown on Wednesday at 4pm at Disharoon Park.

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