TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State (4-5, 2-4 ACC) got a strong start from pitcher Conor Grady, but the Seminoles could not find the clutch hit late as they fell to No. 16 Virginia (6-5, 2-4) 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium. Grady (1-1) and reliever Wyatt Crowell combined to retire the final 19 Cavalier hitters.
Brendan Rivoli had both of Virginia’s RBI Sunday, with a bloop double in the first inning that scored Nic Kent and a single in the third that scored Max Cotier. The Seminoles did not allow another baserunner, with Grady retiring 13 straight and Crowell pitching a perfect eighth and ninth inning. The two combined for 13 strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
UNC: RHP Austin Love (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 9 SO)
Friday – 3:30 p.m.
UNC: RHP Max Carlson (1-0, 2.70 ERA, 6.2 IP, 1 BB, 8 SO)
Saturday – 2 p.m.
UNC: RHP Max Alba (1-0, 3.60 ERA, 5.0 IP, 1 BB, 6 SO)
LEADING OFF
Virginia begins ACC play in the month of February for the first time in program history. The Cavaliers are scheduled to play 12 ACC weekend series (36 games) this season starting Thursday through May 22.
Thursday will be the first road contest for Virginia as six of the next seven games will be played away from Disharoon Park.
Under head Coach Brian O’Connor, the Cavaliers are 290-180-1 in ACC play. His 290 wins are the 8th most in league history and third most among active ACC coaches. His winning percentage (.617) in ACC play is the sixth-highest in league history and second-highest among active ACC coaches (min. 4 seasons).
Devin Ortiz (Nutley, N.J.) each put forth multi-hit efforts in the victory.
“I was excited to see this weekend that we can win a couple of close ball games,” head coach Brian O’Connor said. “I told the team, when you’re playing UConn, it’s like playing an ACC team. I believe because of the level of competition this weekend, we’ll be prepared for the start of ACC play next weekend, obviously earlier than we ever have before.”
After Vasil set the tone with a seven-pitch, top of the first inning, the Cavaliers found themselves up 1-0 just two batters into the bottom half of the frame. Kent led the game off with a single to left, then stole second base and scored on an RBI single by Lebreux. Ortiz followed up with an RBI ground out to third to give Virginia a 2-0 advantage after the first inning.