Barr steps up as Cavs’ latest hero

OXFORD, Miss. — Throughout the season, Virginia’s baseball team has had its share of unlikely heroes.

Add another to the list.

Sophomore outfielder John Barr, who had just two hits in the postseason, was a surprise starter after making just five starts over the Cavaliers’ last 17 contests.

Yet Barr remained confident and was awarded his first start in the NCAA tournament this year by coach Brian O’Connor.

“I never really change my approach. It is always just, ‘Stay confident,’” Barr said. “I knew that they were throwing a big lefty that was pretty highly touted so I just tried to hit it to the middle of the field offensively and I was just trying to take what he gave to me.”

Barr, who entered with four hits in his last 17 plate appearances, connected off Ole Miss starter Drew Pomeranz for a run-scoring double in the fourth inning.

“He tried to attack me with some fastballs early so I just tried to have some good at-bats for the team, whatever that meant,” Barr said.

In the eighth inning with the contest knotted 3-3, Barr also provided a run-scoring fielder’s choice to shortstop. It could easily have been a double play, but Barr hustled down the line and narrowly beat the relay throw.

“That was a big play for our team,” O’Connor said. “I love the way that John Barr plays the game. You know what you are going to get when you put his name on the lineup card. He has a lot of pride and that showed on that play.”

O’Connor has rotated a host of players in left field over the season, employing David Coleman, Phil Gosselin, John Hicks and Barr depending on the opposing pitcher and the dimensions of the stadiums.

It was a gut feeling and a left-handed starting pitcher that led to Barr’s insertion.

“I liked the way that John battled against Alex White in the ACC tournament,” O’Connor said. “I like the bat speed that you get from Barr, and Pomeranz has a great fastball.”

For the game, Barr finished 1 for 3, stole his fourth base of the season and drove in two runs.

Which was better in Barr’s eyes?

“The RBI groundout was way sweeter,” he chuckled.

Under pressure?

Ole Miss, one of the most consistent programs in the past decade, is playing in its fourth Super Regional in five years.

There is, however, one constant during that run of success: the Rebels have not advanced to the College World Series.

With Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Virginia, coach Mike Bianco dropped to 0-9 in games that could have advanced his program to Omaha, Neb.

That said, O’Connor does not think the pressure will be placed squarely on the Rebels in today’s decisive game.

“I am sure that they will be ready to play,” he said. “Over the last six or seven years, I think this has been one of the more consistent college baseball programs in the country.

“I know that this team will be ready and so will we. I am sure we will have another ballgame like we had the past two days. It will be a heck of a lot of fun.”

Virginia, which tied the program record with its 47th win, is making its first trip to a Super Regional.

Loud and proud

It has been a common sight to watch Virginia’s players glaring around Oxford-University Stadium during the first two games of the contest.

Without question, the announced crowds have been the largest this season for the Cavaliers.

The attendance (10,323) for Saturday’s game, in fact, set a stadium record.

Virginia is not in complete awe of the venue and the decibel level provided by its fan base.

“How do you not have fun?” O’Connor said. “This is, I think, the best environment in college baseball without question. [Ole Miss has] passionate fans that are into the game.

“If you are a competitor as a college baseball player this is what you want. This is the best. This is a memory that these players will have forever.”

Not every player has enjoyed every moment inside a venue that allows fans to bring coolers into the areas behind the left- and right-field fences.

“It can be tough at times, especially in the bullpen,” Virginia reliever Matt Packer said with a smile. “But it’s fun. It is nice to see that people care that much about baseball being here and they make it rough on you.”

Virginia catcher Franco Valdes added: “Luckily, behind the plate, I can’t hear much. I just hear white noise. If not, I probably couldn’t take it. It’s definitely fun to go out there and play in front of a huge crowd that we don’t do every day. Even if it is against us, it gets us going.”

Calling Johnny Wholestaff

Despite using senior Andrew Carraway for three innings Saturday, Virginia has options to start today’s winner-take-all contest on the mound.

O’Connor said a host of pitchers, including sophomores Tyler Wilson and Kevin Arico, enjoyed a well-timed day off on Saturday after working in the regional opener.

Virginia fifth-year senior RHP Robert Poutier (3-0, 2.12 ERA), sophomore LHP Neal Davis (2-0, 4.63) and rookie RHP Will Roberts (4-0, 4.14) have combined to make 12 starts this season.

“I don’t know where we go from here,” O’Connor said. “I just know that we have a number of guys that are hungry and want the ball.

“I think [Carraway and Packer] will have something in the tank. That’s one thing that we have done all year, create pitching depth.”