Cavaliers fall to VCU despite outhitting Rams
UVA Athletics VCU Rams baseball scored six unanswered runs to defeat the No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers baseball 6-2 on Tuesday at The Diamond. Virginia (26-12) outhit VCU (22-14) 12-9 but stranded a season-high 16 runners on base.
AJ Gracia gave the Cavaliers an early lead, hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning — his 11th of the season — to make it 1-0. VCU answered in the second with a two-out RBI single to tie the game, then took control in the third. The Rams scored twice on a bases-loaded passed ball and an RBI groundout to build a 3-1 lead.
Michael Petite extended the advantage to 4-1 with a solo home run in the fifth. VCU added two more runs in the sixth on RBI singles to push the lead to 6-1. Virginia threatened in the fourth by loading the bases but failed to score.
The Cavaliers added their final run in the eighth when Gracia singled home RJ Holmes, who opened the inning with a double. Harrison Didawick led Virginia offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double. Gracia, Holmes and Sam Harris each had multiple hits.
Virginia starter Christian Lucarelli allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings and did not factor in the decision. Michael Yeager took the loss after giving up two runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Relievers Thomas Stewart, Jayden Stroman and Dean Kampschror combined to hold VCU scoreless over the final 2 2/3 innings.