The sea of orangeL Virginia 10, St. John’s 2 (Final)

by Jay Jenkins on June 5th, 2011

Some experts had said the Charlottesville Regional was far tougher than the easy road that North Carolina was given to the Super Regional. It appears that both teams will make it to that perch with ease. Virginia smashed St. John’s 10-2 on Saturday and UNC whipped James Madison, kepping the ACC schools perfect.
Virginia, the nation’s top seed, did it on the mound and at the plate.
The Cavaliers (51-9) slapped out 14 hits and Danny Hultzen was brilliant on the mound as he struck out 12 in an outing that could have been reduced had the contest come in March.
What does it mean?
After ECU topped Navy 6-1 in a loser-go-home game Saturday, the Charlottesville Regional contains three teams standing.
There will be two after St. John’s tangles with East Carolina on Sunday. The loser leaves in the double-elimination format.
Virginia and stud pitcher Tyler Wilson can wait on the victor, knowing that the Cavs will advance to a Super Regional unless they are knocked off twice in as many days.
With a fresh bullpen (Whit Mayberry threw two innings Saturday as the first Cavaliers reliever this regional), chances are strong that UC Irvine, UCLA or San Francisco will be looking at boarding passes that read CHO.

What if?
Should Virginia fall behind early to ECU or St. John’s, Virginia coach Brian O’Connor could elect to save closer Braden Kline for Monday.
Kline could get the ball as the starter in the winner-take-all showdown.
The skipper has not said that yet, knowing that senior RHP Cody Winiarski is itching to take the bump.

Eddie in wating
Virginia has been solid in winning the coin toss with first-base coach Eddie Smith on staff.
It will not matter on Sunday.
As the rules are constructed, Virginia will be the road team should it face ECU and the Cavs are secured to be the home team if third-seeded St. John’s wins on Sunday in the opening game.
If Monday is needed, Smith will be part of the flip process that determines the home team.
Bet on Eddie to win.

Just draft the guy already

Virginia right fielder David Coleman is living on borrowed time.
The senior started as a rookie and sat on the bench the past two years as standouts roamed the outfield.
Could Coleman be drafted?
A scout at the game on Saturday said he expected the Virginia native to go around the “33rd round” and could be selected higher.
“The guys just keeps hitting,“ the undisclosed scout said. “There is a lot to like and he will come at a bargain. It is up to him to stick when he gets there.“

Sunshine fades to darkness

Few people in Charlottesville were upset Sunday when Oklahoma was knocked out of the TCU Regional.
The Sooners went 0-2 a season after winning a Super Regional against Virginia.

What’s next?

Virginia is guaranteed a Super Regional in Charlottesville if it wins the regional.
Who would they play?
It looks like UC Irvine could be headed to Central Virginia, looking to get revenge for the rough play the team displayed in 2009 as UVa won the Irvine Regional in three games.
Irvine needs just one win to advance, but top-seeded UCLA won on Saturday to stay alive. The Bruins or San Francisco must win three straight over the next two days to advance.

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