Charlottesville, VA (cvillerightnow.com): ACC play begins today for the Virginia Cavaliers as their opening conference series will be trio of games at home against the Boston College Eagles!   

The Hoos are currently on a five-game win streak since their extra-inning defeat to Oklahoma at the Round Rock Classic last month.  Pitchers Bryson Moore and Thomas Valincius have been revelations to start the year, and newly minted Friday starter Jay Woolfolk has answered the call in the temporary absence of last year’s ace Evan Blanco (who’s rehab is continuing with all-speed).  The offense, after a tough start featuring weather interruptions and an exhausting travel schedule, has found its rhythm.  Eric Becker’s year leading off has started like a dream, Aidan Teel has swung a hot bat in the third lineup spot while patrolling a sterling center field, and burgeoning stars James Nunnalee and Trey Wells have each found a high gear in their first year on Grounds.  Some of the Cavaliers’ established stars, Harrison Didawick and Jacob Ferrence, have started off a bit cold at the plate but even they have awoken quickly in the last few games in a return to normal excellence.   There is a sense that there is still a higher gear yet to be achieved with this group of Hoos, and practice has pressed on with vigor and intensity to hit late-season form as early as possible to establish control in the ACC. 

It starts though, with the Eagles.   They are 4-5 on the young season, after a series split with USC Upstate, going 1-2 in a series with New Orleans, and going 2-1 in the Central Virginia Challenge at Richmond.  Their offense has not been the issue in their slow start, they have not dropped below seven hits as a team in any of the nine games they’ve played.  The Eagles’ weakness lies in their pitching staff, their normally reliable veteran starters have struggled to control their pitches and not gotten the swing and miss necessary to limit opposing offenses.  Tyler Mudd and Eric Schroeder have combined for 26 hits, 20 runs, and 12 walks in 20 total innings of work over seven games.  Opponents are batting .314 against the entire staff.  Should their starters find their groove, the BC offense is hitting .297 as a unit, and six guys hitting over .300 in their normal starting lineup.  Leading in the way is their third-year outfielder Josiah Ragsdale.  The Iona transfer lead the MAAC and was fourth in NCAA in triples last season, and is 12-34 this year with four doubles, six rbis, and has stolen six bases.  First baseman Kyle Wolff leads the team with ten rbis and three homeruns, already half of his season total last year.  The local star is the power nexus in his third year in the middle of the BC order.    Finally, speedster infielder Adam Magpoc nabbed eleven steals.  The Torrance, California native is a patient hitter too, drawing 12 walks already in the campaign.   

Kyle Kipp will oppose Jay Woolfolk in today’s game, while Mudd will go against Thomas Valincius tomorrow.  Sunday’s starters are, as of right now, undecided.  Game one coverage begins at 3:45 PM today, first pitch at 4:00.  Saturday coverage begins at 12:45 for pregame, first pitch at 1:00 PM. Finally, there will be no pregame coverage Sunday, first pitch is set for noon.  All three games can be heard in their entirety here on Cvillerightnow.com, and Newsradio WINA on your radio dial.