No. 11 Baseball Drops Series Finale to NC State, 7-6
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 04/26/2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – NC State’s Pratt Maynard hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning as the Wolfpack came back for a 7-6 victory over the No. 11 Virginia baseball team Sunday afternoon at Davenport Field. Despite the loss, Virginia won the series after taking the first two games.

The game was a see-saw affair, with three ties and a pair of lead changes. The Cavaliers had plenty of chances, racking up 14 hits, but they left 13 runners on base, including nine in scoring position. The one-run defeat is Virginia's sixth in ACC play this year. All of the Cavaliers' ACC defeats have come by three runs or fewer.

Dan Grovatt (So., Tabernacle, N.J.) went 3-for-5 to lead the Cavaliers’ offense. Jarrett Parker (So, Stafford, Va.) had two hits and scored a run – his 61st of the season to set the Virginia single-season runs record. Mark Reynolds (2004) and David Guy (1988) shared the previous record of 60.

Kevin Arico (So., Flemington, N.J.) took the loss for Virginia out of the bullpen. Arico (1-2) came on in the eighth inning with a runner at first and a 2-0 count to Maynard before giving up the two-run home run. Sam Brown (2-0) earned the win for NC State with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, while Alex Sogard got the final three outs for his first save.

UVa’s Robert Morey (So., Virginia Beach, Va.) made his third straight Sunday start and pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three earned runs, four hits and four walks while striking out seven. NC State starter Joey Cutler tossed three innings and gave up one unearned run, three hits and two walks while striking out three.

NC State (20-24, 8-16 ACC) took advantage of two first-inning Morey walks to grab an early lead. With two out, Maynard ripped a single to center field to score Devon Cartwright.

Virginia (34-9-1, 13-8-1) knotted the score in the bottom of the first, getting two-out singles from Danny Hultzen (Fr., Bethesda, Md.) and Grovatt before third baseman Drew Martin threw away a grounder from Steven Proscia (Fr., Suffern, N.Y.) to allow Hultzen to score.

NC State regained the lead in the third inning when Cartwright hit a line drive into the second row of bleachers in left field. The Cavaliers then loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the third, but Drew Poulk made a fully-extended, diving catch of a John Hicks (Fr., Sandy Hook, Va.) sinking flare in right-center to save at least two runs.

In the fifth inning, Virginia cashed in on a scoring opportunity after stranding seven runners on base, including five in scoring position through the first four innings. With one out, Grovatt singled and Proscia doubled to move Grovatt to third. Hicks followed with a two-run single to center to score both runners and give UVa a 3-2 lead.

The Wolfpack then scored a run in the sixth inning to tie the game. With two out, Pat Ferguson laid down a bunt single He advanced when Maynard walked and scored on a double by Andrew Ciencin.

The Cavaliers regained the lead in their half of the sixth. Coleman led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored when Parker bounced a tripled down the right-field line. Reliever Jake Buchanan nearly escaped further damage by getting two outs with the infield in, but then walked Grovatt before Proscia hit a grounder which bounced high over Martin’s head at third base and rolled down the left-field line. Parker scored on the play to give UVa a 5-3 lead.

NC State created the third tie of the game with a pair of runs off Wilson in the seventh inning. Chris Schaeffer led off with a double to left and scored when Martin singled up the middle. Kyle Wilson then singled to move Martin to third, and Cartwright grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate Martin and tie the game.

In the seventh, Cannon singled before the edge of a strong thunderstorm skirted the stadium, causing a one-hour, 48-minute delay. While very little rain fell at the stadium, there was plenty of lightning to force the delay.

Afterwards, Franco Valdes (Jr., Miami, Fla.) put down a sacrifice bunt and pinch hitter John Barr (So., Ivyland, Pa.) was intentionally walked. Parker then ripped a single to right to score Cannon, and Barr was gunned down at third on a perfect throw from Drew Poulk.

NC State took the lead for good in the eighth inning. Ferguson led off with a single against UVa reliever Sean Lucas (R-Fr., Fishkill, N.Y.). Lucas was replaced by Arico after going to a 2-0 count before Maynard homered to left field against Arico.

UVa put runners on in the eighth and ninth inning but could not get the runners home.

Virginia is back at Davenport Field at 7 p.m. Tuesday when it plays host to Liberty. The game is UVa’s final contest before a nine-day break for final exams.

 

UVa drops lightning delayed series finale
By Jay Jenkins
Published: April 27, 2009

A bat did the work, but it was the ears of North Carolina State coach Elliott Avent that ultimately produced the game-winning run Sunday.
Trailing by one run in the eighth inning, N.C. State designated hitter Pratt Maynard belted an offering over the fence and the outstretched glove of right fielder John Barr and off the facade of the green bleachers at Davenport Field.
Initially, the play was ruled a run-scoring triple on the field by the game’s three-man umpiring crew after the ball bounced back onto the field.
Avent, in customary fashion, argued the ruling.
He won, propelling N.C. State to a 7-6 victory in a contest that was delayed 108 minutes by lightning around the stadium.
“I didn’t know for sure if it went out,” Avent admitted. “I wasn’t positive when I went out there [to argue]. I just heard metal and not wood. That’s what I heard.
“If it had hit the wood it would have [fallen] straight down. It looked like it kind of looped down. [Barr] made a great try at it and if it had gone off the wood he would have caught it.”
Virginia coach Brian O’Connor trotted onto the field after the play was reversed and a homer was signaled. The Cavaliers’ skipper was merely getting an explanation.
“I thought it was a home run but I was just holding out hope that it would have [held up] as they originally called it,” O’Connor said. “I think that they got the call right and that is what is important.”
Maynard’s sixth homer of the season brought the second lead change in a see-saw affair that was tied three times.
As has been a problem at times for Virginia this season in a majority of their nine losses, it was the bullpen that created misery for the Cavalier faithful that remained or returned after the delay.
With Virginia leading 5-3 in the seventh, N.C. State plated a pair of runs off reliever Tyler Wilson. The sophomore, who stranded two runners in scoring position in the sixth, allowed an RBI single to Drew Martin and a run-scoring grounder to Devon Cartwright.
“Tyler Wilson has done such a great job for us all year long,” O’Connor said, “and he just had a tough inning.”
The Cavaliers (34-9-1, 13-8-1 ACC) rallied in the seventh, taking a 6-5 lead as center fielder Jarrett Parker knocked in Tyler Cannon from second base with a one-out single. But on the play, Barr was gunned down at third on a missile fired from right fielder Drew Poulk.
O’Connor then turned to reliever Sean Lucas in the eighth, but the southpaw gave up a single and fell behind to Maynard after throwing back-to-back pitches well outside the strike zone.
Virginia’s coach quickly summoned closer Kevin Arico.
“I decided not to mess around with it,” he said, “and unfortunately [Maynard] put a good swing on the ball with a 3-1 count and hit the two-run home run.”
The loss spoiled a solid start from Virginia sophomore Robert Morey. The right-hander, who was making his first league start at home, allowed four hits and three earned runs in 5.2 innings.
“He battled. He had four walks today and that’s not what you like to see but he pitched out of most of them,” O’Connor said. “I am proud of him. I think he had another good outing for us.
“He had a quality start and when you get a quality start like that you should win the ballgame.”
Virginia’s offense can share the blame with the bullpen. The Cavaliers left 13 runners stranded on base, nine more than the Wolfpack (20-24, 8-16).
“When you have young players they need to learn from the mistakes in this game and the opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on and the outs on the mound that we needed to get and didn’t get,” O’Connor said. “We have another opportunity on Tuesday against Liberty [at Davenport Field at 7 p.m.].
“They are having a really good year and they are winning their conference right now. We’re going to have to play good baseball and hopefully go into final exams with a good feeling.”
Following the Liberty game, Virginia will take nine days off for exams, returning to action against Duke on May 8 at 7 p.m. The final league series will be played at Virginia Tech May 15-17.
As was the case with N.C. State, the Blue Devils and Hokies are fighting for a berth in the ACC Tournament. The top eight teams will earn invitations the league’s postseason event, which will be held in Durham, N.C., May 20-24.
“Obviously, Duke and Virginia Tech are going to be battling to get into that conference tournament. So are we,” O’Connor said. “There’s nothing given that we are for sure in. We have to come out and continue to play good baseball, but anytime you are trying to eliminate somebody from the conference tournament, when they only take eight teams from this great league, you’re going to have battles on your hands.”

 

Peerman heads to Ravens
By Jay Jenkins
Published: April 27, 2009

One is staying close to home.
Another is being reunited with a former assistant coach.
The other is living the dream.
Virginia running back Cedric Peerman and tight end John Phillips were selected Sunday during the sixth round of the NFL Draft and one-time starting quarterback Kevin McCabe quickly inked a deal as an undrafted free agent.
Peerman, who joined left tackle Eugene Monroe (Jacksonville Jaguars) and linebacker Clint Sintim (New York Giants) as former Cavaliers that were drafted during the weekend, was selected with the 185th pick overall by the Baltimore Ravens.
Shortly after that, Phillips was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with pick No. 208.
The biggest shock of the draft, however, came with what did not happen during the two-day, seven-round event.
Former Virginia wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who elected to enter the draft with a year of eligibility remaining and work for his degree completed, was not selected.
Late Sunday evening, Ogletree joined fellow wideout Maurice Covington, safety Byron Glaspy and linebackers Antonio Appleby and Jon Copper in the pursuit of a free agent deal with an NFL team.
That was not a dilemma for McCabe.
After watching the draft with family and friends, McCabe inked a deal with the Steelers. He will battle third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon for a roster spot in mini-camp and perhaps in training camp after a standout season in his final year of eligibility at California (Penn.) University.
“Playing for your hometown team with all your people around is a great opportunity but more importantly it was a business decision,” McCabe said. “Tonight I am going to enjoy that experience but tomorrow it is all about business. You are going to try and go make a roster.
“I have the one foot in the door and my goal this year is to just be in the league still whether it is in a practice squad capacity or if it is just as a third-string quarterback or even a starting quarterback, because I am not going to sell myself short.”
It is often an uphill battle for an undrafted player to make a roster.
“I am going to take it one step at a time and obviously enjoy myself, but, more importantly, I am going to try to go out there and compete and try to earn a spot,” McCabe said.
That may not be quite as tough of a proposition for Peerman and Phillips, who can contribute on special teams.
“I’ll probably be playing lots of special teams,” Peerman said. “And help the team in any way that I can. The Ravens make the playoffs every year — they do well and they always compete for championships.”
Baltimore does boast three running backs, however, with starter Willis McGahee and Ray Rice and LeRon McClain.
Phillips will be reunited with former Virginia wide receiver coach John Garrett, who now coaches the tight ends in Dallas. The Cowboys feature All-Pro Jason Witten and second-year Martellus Bennett at tight end.

 

Phillips goes to Dallas
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

For years, there has been a Dallas Cowboys cap sitting on a dresser in John Phillips' Bath County home, and Sunday somebody finally noticed it.

"One of my teachers was here and said I used to wear it all the time," Phillips said. "And, believe it or not, there was a hole in my door that my brother punched through when we were little. To cover up the hole, we put a Cowboys sticker on it, and that was still there."

Phillips, a tight end from Virginia, realizes that he needs to add to his Dallas inventory after his selection by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

Phillips was one of two Cavaliers to go in the sixth round. Running back Cedric Peerman from Campbell County was selected by Baltimore with the 12th pick of the sixth round (185th overall). Phillips, a fellow Group A product, went with the 35th pick in the sixth round (208th overall).

Two UVa players had been drafted Saturday, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe by Jacksonville in the first round and outside linebacker Clint Sintim by the New York Giants in the second round.

Cavaliers wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who passed up his final season of college eligibility after recording a team-high 58 receptions, was not selected. Chicago-based agent Joe Flanagan said Sunday night that Ogletree had accepted a free-agent offer from the Cowboys.

Asked for his reaction to Ogletree not being drafted, Flanagan said, "You know what? I don't have any comment now about anything."

It was the second time in five years that a prominent UVa underclassmen had made himself available for the NFL Draft and not been chosen. Linebacker Kai Parham went that route after making first-team All-ACC in 2005 and never played professionally.

Ogletree said in January that he had spoken to an NFL advisory panel and was satisfied with what he was told.

"It was what I wanted to hear," Ogletree said at the time. "Obviously, it was a draftable grade. I'm not getting into specifics, but they didn't say, 'Hey, guy, you'll be drafted in the seventh round.' I would be back in school if they had."

Also accepting a free-agent deal was UVa inside linebacker Antonio Appleby, who is headed to New England, according to agent Sunny Shah, who described Appleby as a "priority for the Patriots. We were in dialogue the first time."

Phillips had heard he might be drafted in the fourth or fifth round and was starting to get a little antsy before he got a call from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"He said, 'Hello, this is Jerry Jones,' " said Phillips, named first-team All-ACC last year after catching 48 passes, "but, as soon as I heard the voice, I knew who it was."

Phillips was pleased to know that he would be reunited with Cowboys receivers coach John Garrett, who was on the UVa staff when Phillips was a UVa freshman in 2005. They had spoken at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where Garrett expressed confidence that Phillips would be chosen, though not necessarily by the Cowboys.

Dallas, which did not have any picks Saturday, added 12 players Sunday in rounds 3-7.

Jones said in an ESPN interview that the Cowboys focused on special teams during the final rounds of the draft.

All-Pro tight end Jason Witten had a team-high 81 receptions for the Cowboys last year, when rookie tight end Martellus Bennett had 20 receptions, four for touchdowns. Phillips had a variety of special-teams assignments early in his career and is looking to polish those skills.

"Obviously, they've got two great tight ends," Phillips said. "It's similar to UVa when I got here and we had two great tight ends [Tom Santi and Jon Stupar]. I've just got to work hard and define a role for myself."