Virginia rallies past GT

In Atlanta, in one of the strangest series of the season, Virginia pulled off a remarkable feat.

Having lost a 7-6 game that was previously suspended earlier in the day, the 18th-ranked Cavaliers scored six unanswered runs in the ninth inning to rally for a wild 11-10 victory over Georgia Tech late in the night at Russ Chandler Stadium to even the three-game series heading into today’s finale.

Virginia improved to 28-7 overall and 9-6 in the ACC as No. 8 Georgia Tech dropped to 21-8 overall and 10-5 in the league.

“We showed a lot of heart in getting that win,“ Virginia coach Brian O’Connor said. “We would not quit and that was great to see after a tough loss earlier in the day. Now we have a chance to win the series.

“It was great to see really. It was unbelievable.“

The Cavaliers sent 10 batters to the plate in the ninth inning of the nightcap and rookie Keith Werman, who entered as a reserve, delivered the game-winning single.

Kevin Arico, a sophomore, used a double-play ball in the ninth to face the minimum and earn the save.

Virginia could have earned two wins on the day, but Georgia Tech won the opener by scoring four runs in the final three innings, three of which were allowed by Virginia closer Matt Packer (1-3).

In the second game, Virginia right fielder Dan Grovatt finished with three hits and drove in four runs. The sophomore connected on a homer in the first inning. Jarrett Parker, the Cavaliers’ centerfielder, also hit a home run and scored four runs.

Shane Halley, who allowed four runs in relief, earned an odd victory on the mound. The rookie had not allowed a run this season before he was touched up in relief of starter Andrew Carraway and reliever Neal Davis.

In the loss, Georgia Tech’s Tony Plagman delivered a one-out single in the ninth off Packer (1-3). Packer allowed six hits and three runs over 1.1 innings of work.

Mark Pope (4-0) picked up the win for Georgia Tech.

The Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets will complete the series today at 1 p.m. Due to the schedule and high-scoring contests, both teams leaned heavily on their bullpens today. O’Connor said he would start sophomore RHP Robert Morey on the mound.