Virginia (48-12) combined to score seven runs in the final three innings to pull away from East Carolina (47-19) in an 8-3 decision to win the Charlottesville Regional championship at Disharoon Park on Sunday (June 4). The Cavaliers clinch a berth into their eighth Super Regional in the last 15 years.
UVA starting pitcher Connelly Early notched the win after holding the Pirates to just two runs on seven hits and matched his career-best with 10 strikeouts. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Charlottesville Regional. In addition to Early, Virginia’s Kyle Teel (C), Ethan Anderson (1B), Jake Gelof (3B), Casey Saucke (OF), Ethan O’Donnell (OF), Anthony Stephan (DH) and Nick Parker (P) earned all-tournament honors.
Teel finished 4-for-5 at plate, with a home run and two RBIs. Both O’Donnell and Stephan launched three-run home runs in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to help the Hoos slam the door Pirates, who eliminated UVA in last year’s Greenville Regional.