Lynchburg, VA (cvillerightnow.com): It’s not unfair to say that the Virginia Baseball team is in trouble.  They enter play today at 12-10 and should their game with the 17-8 Liberty Flames take a turn for the worse, they will find themselves in the midst of a five-game losing streak for only the second time in the 21 years Brian O’Connor has coached this unit.   As they near the halfway point of the season, there is plenty of talent on this roster to turn their fortunes around, but if you know Baseball, then you are all too aware of the fact that it takes more than talent to win Baseball games.  Just what this is differs from situation to situation, but its down to the Hoos to try and figure it out.   

The Flames just lost a difficult conference series at home to New Mexico State last weekend, winning game one but losing the second and third.  When examining their roster, it is difficult to find a particular strength to explain their performance this year.  Yet, the proof is in the putting, and the Flames have struck hot iron multiple times this year, besting multiple solid teams like NC State in Raleigh in mid-February (9-8), Duke back in late February (12-4), and Wake Forest last week (11-8).   Leading the way on offense is first baseman Jaxon Sorenson, slashing .304/.439/.652, joint second on the squad in hits and leads the team in walks and homeruns with 9.  Shortstop Taylor Marsh and Leftfielder Nick Barone have 29 hits each, and young second baseman Cal Early has made the most of his 53 at-bats this year.  The Midlothian product is hitting .340 and is getting on base at a 50% clip.  Two top-end starters, Ben Blair and Dylan Mathiesen have carried the lion’s share of the work in the pitching staff, and the bullpen has been quite sharp when called upon to finish games off.  Against the Cavaliers, High Point transfer Jake Potts gets the ball for just his fifth appearance this year.  He’s only pitched 3.2 innings this year, mainly as a spot reliever.  Opposing batters are currently hitting .357 against him. 

A rebound performance for the Hoos is on the cards today, and they will need one with #20 Stanford coming to town this weekend.  That series will be an important shot to charge up the table.  Bradley Hodges gets the ball once more in the midweek, he was hit around last week against Richmond but was solid against Maryland two weeks ago.  His stuff is there, but much the same to Evan Blanco, he is working his way back from injury.  The Virginia offense will need to help Hodges out if they want to win this game.  The Virginia lineup has been strong in spots during this losing streak, Henry Godbout has found his power stroke with three homeruns in three games, Eric Becker remains and steady leadoff man, and Aidan Teel is keeping his on-base percentage high.  However, individual production has not been converted into team victories.  We will see if that changes today.  Tune in at 3:45 PM on Newsradio WINA for pre-game coverage with first pitch at 4:00 PM from Lynchburg!  You can also listen live at Cvillerightnow.com.