UVa players take a trip to Fenway
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
May 19, 2007

BOSTON - Christmas came early for Corey Hunt.

After boarding Virginia’s team bus on Friday, the former Monticello standout expected a short bus trip to Boston College for a routine session of batting practice.

That is the standard plan on the road following a postponement - heavy rain washed out Friday’s game between UVa and Boston College, forcing a doubleheader today that starts at noon.

What Hunt and his teammates experienced was anything but ordinary.

Virginia coach Brian O’Connor received permission from the Boston Red Sox to workout at legendary Fenway Park.

The Cavaliers’ position players took batting practice in the visiting team’s cage underneath the stadium, and members of the pitching staff were allowed to jog and throw on the warning track next to the sport’s most famous left-field wall, the Green Monster.

For Hunt, a rookie infielder likely headed for a redshirt season, strolling around Fenway Park was surreal.

“Walking out on the field and seeing all the history and all the people around there was a great experience,” Hunt said. “It is a crazy feeling because it is just one of those things that you have seen on TV all the time and never in person. It was a great eye-opener.”

Perhaps the only player on the team that had a clue was Jeremy Farrell.

The sophomore noticed during the bus ride that the team was approaching the stadium, where his father, John, works as the Red Sox’s pitching coach.

“We were driving down the highway and I sent my dad a text message and said, ‘I think we are going to Fenway. Did you have anything to do with this?’” the younger Farrell said. “He said that we were going to hit in the visitors’ cages.”

Seeing his teammates enjoying the experience was gratifying, Farrell said. In fact, Farrell took three of his teammates, including pitcher Jacob Thompson, to the Red Sox-Tigers game Thursday night.

“That was Jacob’s first big league game ever,” Farrell said. “His eyes were lighting up and then [Friday] he was able to run poles in the outfield. He loved every minute of it. That was awesome.”

While the trip was priceless, O’Connor reminded the players throughout to remain diligent with their preparation. And for good reason: the Cavaliers are fighting for seeding in the upcoming ACC and NCAA tournaments.

“Obviously, it was disappointing that we weren’t able to play … but I thought it was important, rather than laying around the hotel, to get some work in,” O’Connor said. “Fortunately, we were able to hit at Fenway rather than the local batting cages. I think any player would rather hit at Fenway than the local batting cages, but it was important that we got work in to be sharp and ready to win tomorrow.”

Hunting season

The decision to include Hunt in the Cavaliers’ traveling party was not out of the norm for O’Connor.

Despite the continued intentions of redshirting the first-year infielder, the skipper brought Hunt as an insurance policy.

Sophomore infielder Greg Miclat (labrum) is out for the season, so if something dramatic happened to multiple infielders, O’Connor could insert Hunt into a game.

That, of course, would only occur in a worst-case scenario.

“I have tried all year to protect Corey’s redshirt year, and that’s why he hasn’t played; I think he is going to be a great player in our program,” O’Connor said. “But now, with the situation with Greg Miclat not being able to play, Corey could factor in.”

Hunt, who said he would play baseball this summer in Saratoga, N.Y., with teammates Brad Grove and Mark Riffee, remains ready regardless of the decision.

“I have prepared well up until this point, and if they put me that’s their decision,” Hunt said. “We miss Greg Miclat pretty bad, but things tend to work themselves out.

“Greg will be ready to come back next year.”

Getting the nod

Should Mother Nature cooperate, O’Connor said he would start left-hander Sean Doolittle in the first game of the doubleheader.

The plan is not nearly as concrete for the second game as O’Connor tries to set his rotation for the postseason.

There are countless options, the skipper noted, including closer Casey Lambert.

 

Cavs, Heels ready for Round 3
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
May 19, 2007

One of the most impressive things about the Virginia women’s lacrosse team’s demolition of Princeton last Sunday was its focus. The Cavaliers seemed to play with as much poise and passion when they were up by 10 goals as they did when they were trailing early in the game.

Today, Virginia (17-3) hosts North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, UVa coach Julie Myers says her players are once again perfectly zeroed in on the task at hand.

“I think the kids have really had Carolina on their minds all week,” Myers said. “They’ve been really focused. From a coaching staff perspective, I think we feel ready - and the team is really excited, especially after coming off such a decisive win versus Princeton.

“When you read all the Internet stuff, I think everyone was calling for another Princeton upset. I think the kids were aware of that and were able to take care of them.”

Virginia was hammered by North Carolina in the regular season but easily defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament final last month. Most everybody is expecting today’s rubber match to be the most competitive.

“I can’t wait,” said junior Megan O’Malley. “We all can’t wait. We know it’s going to be a good one and an exciting one.

“I think it will probably be a little closer than the ACC championship, but I think if we play defense the way we played then, hopefully we’ll come out on top.”

Third-seeded Virginia completely stymied sixth-seeded UNC (16-4) on April 29. The Cavaliers held the Tar Heels to just one goal in the second half.

Goalie Kendall McBrearty, the tournament MVP, made a series of spectacular saves, and received strong support from her defenders out top.

Virginia sophomore Jen Holden will most likely draw the assignment of guarding Kristin Taylor, UNC’s freshman scoring machine.

“She’s definitely a very good player,” Holden said. “We know her tendencies and what she’ll be doing, but there also a bunch of other attackers we need to worry about as well.

“She’s still just a first-year. I think we’ll be able to stop her.”

O’Malley was at a loss for words when asked why the two games against North Carolina differed so vastly.

“I don’t know how to explain that,” she said. “I know we definitely didn’t play our best game in the first one against them. Their shooting percentage was very low the second time around.

“I think this time around we’ll both be ready. I don’t think UNC will shoot as poorly as they did in the finals. That’s why I think it will be a great game.”

Myers is pleased that her team doesn’t seem to be looking ahead. The Virginia-North Carolina winner will take on the Duke-Johns Hopkins winner on Friday in Philadelphia. UVa’s last appearance in the Final Four came in 2005 when it lost to Northwestern in the title game.

“This week, I haven’t heard a mention of what that next game would bring if we were to advance,” Myers said. “I do feel like we have [the team’s] attention. I think we’re ready. There’s not a whole lot more that we can do now.”

Ground balls

The all-time series between the schools is tied at 9-9. North Carolina only began playing at the varsity level in 1996. …Virginia and UNC are two of the top defensive teams in the nation. The Cavaliers rank fifth (7.89 goals per game), while the Tar Heels are third (6.92).

 

Never say never with Long recruiting
Swanson says commitment to FSU is solid
By Doug Doughty

Kyle Long may have committed to Florida State for baseball but the Kyle Long story isn’t going to go away.

Long, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound lineman from St. Anne’s-Belfield in Charlottesville, was rated the No. 1 junior football prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times.

Presumably, he is going to play football for STAB in the fall. Presumably, he is going to go to UVa football games and watch his brother, Chris, a preseason All-America defensive lineman for the Cavaliers.

Players have changed their minds in the past. In the spring of 1987, highly rated quarterback Matt Blundin backed out of an oral commitment to Penn State in order to play football at UVa.

What are the chances that Long could revisit his decision?

“You don’t know me,” STAB baseball coach Alan Swanson said, “but I’m old enough to try and avoid a word like ‘never.’ I’ve worked with high-school kids for years and I’ve tried to avoid words like ‘never again’ will he do something or ‘absolutely’ will you do something.

“One of the luxuries of youth is, you get to change your mind. He’s committed right now to baseball. But I also know that, in the fall, he loves football. In the spring, he loves baseball. And, he’s an enthusiastic kid who’s energetic and gives 100 percent.

“This kid is awesome and, on the football field, I would never talk to him about baseball. And, on the baseball field, the football coach [John Blake] would never talk to him about football.”

From all appearances, a commitment is not something that is taken lightly in the Long family. Chris Long committed to Virginia in the fall of his junior year at STAB in 2002 and never wavered before signing in 2004.

“Kyle is a very honorable kid,” Swanson said. “He had a lot of offers in football and a lot of offers in baseball. And, he carefully considered what he was doing. So, I would say it’s a solid commitment to Florida State baseball but I would avoid using a word like ‘never’ in referring to football.

“But, you’re right about the Long family. They are people of their word. Chris is coming back for his senior year at Virginia, which is indicative of how the family feels about education and how they feel about commitment and how they feel about honoring that commitment.”

UNFORTUNATELY, somebody is destined to look bad in the whole Kyle Long scenario and, if Long becomes an impact baseball player for the Seminoles, it would be Virginia, which didn’t offer him a scholarship.

The same would apply if Long “blows up” as a prospect over the next year and becomes a prime target for the 2008 baseball free-agent draft.

“Absolutely, I think there’s a chance,” said Swanson, using one of his forbidden words, “but I can’t speak for Kyle. Sure, a kid’s 6-7 and 280 and hits the ball like he does, absolutely there’s a chance.

“All I can tell you is, major-league scouts come to a lot of [STAB’s] practices and a lot of hitting sessions and games. We are well-scouted. Two other kids signed Division I scholarships out of our school this year and those were seniors and Kyle already has committed. We have a lot of kids who get looks.”

If Long does not become an impact player at Florida State, then the Seminoles will have erred in extending a 70-percent ride to him. For an incoming player in a sport where almost everybody gets a partial grant, that’s a lot.

On the other hand, what if Long gets to Florida State, doesn’t like the way his baseball career is going and elects to play football? You couldn’t fault him for that, except that he’s only gone on record as saying that he wouldn’t play football for a school that competes against Virginia.

In the long run, you have to question Virginia for coaches and athletic administrators not finding a way to keep Kyle Long in town. The Longs, including youngest son and lacrosse phenom Howie Jr., are a local treasure.

Let’s say the Cavaliers had offered him a 50-percent scholarship in baseball:

If he’s as good as Swanson thinks, then it’s a good investment. If he’s not, he turns to football and, as soon as he plays in a football game, his scholarship counts against football and baseball has its money back.

Maybe the Longs aren’t wild about Al Groh’s system. I’ve heard that, too, but here’s a kid, Kyle Long, who has been known to stop by the McCue Center and walk unannounced into Groh’s office for chats. The dad, Howie, was glowing in his praise of Groh and UVa football in a multi-part series by Charlottesville sports editor J’Hootie Ratcliffe.

I’d need a lot more evidence than I’ve got right now to think that the Longs have a big problem with UVa football.
 

New QB Schaub taking over as Texans leader
By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer
May 17, 2007

HOUSTON (AP) -- Matt Schaub wasted no time getting started on establishing himself as the leader of the Houston Texans.

The day he was traded from Atlanta, the quarterback was on the phone calling key members of the team to introduce himself and let them know what to expect from him.

"That was big," Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson said after Houston's minicamp Thursday. "A lot of people don't do that when it's their first day with the team. I think just by him doing that he caught a lot of guys' attention."

Schaub will become just the second quarterback to lead the young Texans franchise after replacing David Carr, who was dumped after five seasons without a winning record. It will be the 25-year-old's first starting job. He spent three seasons with the Falcons as Michael Vick's backup.

Though Schaub's presence marks the beginning of a new era in Houston, the quarterback's choice of a number brings thoughts of the old one. He'll wear Carr's No. 8 because that's been his number since he entered the NFL.

Schaub's willingness to assert himself as a leader was important to Texans coaches when they looked for a new face to lead their team.

"That's his personality," coach Gary Kubiak said. "That's something I think is his strength and we kind of knew that. People gravitate to the young man. He has a lot of confidence in what everybody's doing, not just what he's doing and you can see that on the field."

Schaub said asserting himself without stepping on the toes of the veteran players is a balancing act.

"Everybody leads in different ways, whether it's by example or vocally," he said. "You've got to find a happy medium, being a new guy. You've got to take the reins, but you want to show guys that you're out here to work and get better and do it by example, not just be the voice."

Schaub already looks comfortable with Johnson, who had a career-best 103 receptions last season. That is likely thanks to more than a dozen offseason workouts together.

"We were throwing just about two or three times a week," Johnson said. "We were going out and just going through the routes and things like that, just trying to get the timing down. I think it was important to all of us."

The 6-foot-5 Schaub, who signed a six-year deal worth $48 million, is ready to be the starter after starting just two games in his career. He thinks his offseason work will help ease the transition.

"It's been an ongoing process since I got here, just learning," he said. "It's a work in progress, but you just try to take a little bit each day and absorb it and go from there."

Though Houston has only been through two practices, Kubiak is already encouraged by what he's seen from Schaub.

"Matt is to me is very composed," Kubiak said. "Watching him operate with everybody and getting everybody lined up. 'You get here. You get there,' and the young guys get in the huddle with him and they don't panic. They can ask him and he's got control of all 11 of them."


 

Congressman wants NFL action against Vick
The Associated Press
Published on: 05/18/07

A California congressman has joined the cause against Michael Vick, firing off a letter Friday that urged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to "act swiftly and forcefully" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was involved in dog fighting on his former property.

Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., pointed out that he's a senior member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which two years ago held highly publicized hearings on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports.

Lantos raised the prospect of government intervention if the NFL fails to discipline Vick.

"I am outraged that one of the National Football League's superstars is affiliated with such a heinous enterprise," Lantos wrote.

Last month, police raided a Virginia home owned by Vick and allegedly found evidence of a major dog-fighting operation, including dozens off malnourished and injured dogs. The quarterback has denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed against him.

Vick has since sold the home.

"The level of cruelty involved in exploiting animals to the point that 60 malnourished and injured dogs were removed from Mr. Vick's property is mind boggling," Lantos said. "I will view anything less than the strongest repudiation of Mr. Vick's involvement as tacit support for this atrocious activity."

The NFL has said repeatedly it is investigating the case to determine if Vick violated the commissioner's tougher standards for players who run afoul of the law. Reached Friday, Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts reiterated the team's policy of not commenting until the investigation is completed.

Calling himself a longtime advocate of animal welfare, Lantos joined two prominent animal rights groups that have called on Goodell to suspend or ban any players involved in dog fighting.

"As evidence of Mr. Vick's involvement mounts, I implore you to act swiftly and forcefully," the congressman wrote. "Your strong rebuke of dog fighting — and those who promote it — will send the message that this all-too-prevalent practice has no place in a civilized society."

In a not-so-subtle threat of possible congressional action, Lantos reminded the commissioner of his committee's efforts to weed out those who use performance-enhancing drugs.

"I also suggest you educate your players on the illegality and cruelty of dog fighting to prevent this from happening again," Lantos wrote. "It is my hope that the issue of animal fighting will not require us to further investigate the behavior of your athletes."