There is typically reason for concern when six pitchers take the mound for Virginia.
That was not the case Wednesday.
By design, coach Brian O’Connor rolled through a host of pitchers as the top-ranked Cavaliers pulled away early and cruised to a 10-5 victory over Georgetown at Davenport Field.
“I thought that I would use four or five because I wanted to get a lot of work in for a lot of guys,” O’Connor said. “You just don’t know how it is going to work, but we got some quality work from a number of guys.”
Those options on the mound were spotted an early lead after the Cavaliers scored multiple runs in every frame from the second through fifth innings.
“That what it takes to have a great day at the plate,” O’Connor said. “You have to have multiple guys be successful, and we had that tonight.”
With Virginia down 1-0 in the second inning, Kenny Swab tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Danny Hultzen walked only to score later in the frame on a wild pitch.
The Cavaliers added three in the third as Steven Proscia doubled home a run, Chris Taylor scored on a wild pitch and Reed Gragnani slapped a run-scoring single into left-center field.
It was in the fourth, however, that Virginia sealed the game’s fate.
Phil Gosselin, who went 4 for 5 with three RBI, brought home a pair of runs with a double that bounced off the wall in left-center field.
“Phil had a great game and that was a big hit for us,” O’Connor said. “He has been our catalyst all year.”
Virginia’s success on the mound was limited, however.
Whit Mayberry, who started, was pulled after 1.2 innings following a subpar outing. The rookie walked a pair and allowed three hits and a run, but managed to escape a bases-loaded jam in the first.
Justin Thompson, who was summoned first out of the bullpen, took full advantage of his opportunity.
The sophomore worked a career-best 3.1 innings and scattered a pair of hits. He also struck out three Georgetown batters as he threw strikes.
“That’s what I wanted to do,” said Thompson, who threw 29 of his 42 pitches for strikes. “I had good command and it felt good to pitch that long.”
Georgetown (19-22) managed 10 hits in the game, including a three-run homer in the seventh from Sean Lamont off Virginia reliever Will Roberts.
The Cavaliers, in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, return to action on Friday at Duke at 6 p.m.
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