Finals are over, the books have been sold back and the best part of the season is here as we are about to open our final ACC series of the year in Boston.

There is nothing better than waking up every day not having to worry about class and being able to be completely focused on winning baseball games when it matters the most. Despite dropping our last three, we look to close out our regular season ACC schedule on a high note with a three-game set starting Thursday against Boston College.

Coming out of our final exam break, NC State came to town and played just like we thought they would – tough and relentless. On Friday night we sent our workhorse, Jacob Thompson, to the mound to get the series started on the right foot. He did his job and left the game with us in a position to win going 6.1 while giving up only two runs.

After a Tyler Cannon triple to lead off the eighth, the rain came on and suspended the game until Saturday evening. With pinch-hitter John Scaglione at the plate after the game had resumed, Cannon scored on a wild pitch to give us the 3-2 lead. Scaglione lined out to left on the next pitch, which would have gotten the job done anyway. We went on to win 4-2. Jake Rule, who did not throw a pitch on Saturday, picked up the win in relief. Casey Lambert set the career ACC saves record – a tremendous accomplishment for our closer.

Saturday and Sunday were different stories as we struggled to hold down their offense and score runs when we needed to. Losing a series is never good – especially at home. But we look at it as an opportunity to bounce back even stronger after facing a little adversity – something that could pay off as we approach post season play.

On Tuesday, nationally ranked Coastal Carolina came up for a midweek contest. They beat us earlier in the year at their place – so we felt like we owed them one, especially in our own ballpark. But, again, the weekend’s theme continued as we dropped a tough one, 11-7. We showed fight late with somewhat of a comeback – but it was too little, too late and we dropped our third in a row.

It’s no time to panic but time to get things turned around and get back to playing Cavalier baseball. We’re excited to get back out there on Thursday and build some momentum heading into the ACC tourney next week.

Go Hoos!

Jeremy Farrell

(photo courtesy of Virginia Media Relations Office)