WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary Baseball team fell 17-2 to No. 1 Virginia on Wednesday night at Plumeri Park in front of a season-high 845 fans. Virginia took advantage of two big innings, as they improved to 3-1 overall, while the Tribe fell to 2-2 on the young season.
After a scoreless first inning, Virginia took advantage of a pair of Tribe errors and scored six runs in the top of the second inning. After a leadoff walk to Brandon Downes, Derek Fisher singled, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. William and Mary recorded back-to-back outs, but Downes came around to score a sacrifice fly by Kenny Towns. With two outs, Fisher stole second and the throw got away, allowing him to reach third. The next batter Nate Irving singled, bringing home Fisher. Another Tribe error, allowed Virginia to extend the inning and load the bases. Mike Papi delivered for the Cavaliers, hitting a grand-slam home run to left field.
The Tribe's runs came in the home half of the fourth inning. Junior Nick Thompson started the rally by leading off the inning with a single. After an out, junior Michael Katz smoked a ball over the centerfield wall, cutting UVA's lead to 6-2. It was the fourth home run in as many games for Katz.
Virginia responded with a lone run in the top of the fifth inning. Joe McCarthy hit his first home run of the season for Virginia, a solo shot to right.
The Cavaliers big inning came in the top of the sixth inning when they scored nine runs and brought 15 batters to the plate. The big blow came on a two-run home run by Downes.
UVA added another run in the top of the eighth inning. McCarthy, who led off the inning with a walk, came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Nick Howard.
Papi led the Virginia offense going 2-for-4 with six RBIs. McCarthy, Downes, Fisher, Towns, Nate Irving and Joe La Prise all finished with at least two-hits for Virginia.
Junior Bryson Kauhaahaa, who was making his first career appearance for the Tribe, was saddled with the loss. He went two innings and only allowed one earned run. Artie Lewicki earned the win for Virginia, going five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and striking out six.
The game was originally scheduled to be played in Charlottesville, but was changed to Plumeri on Tuesday due to field conditions.
William and Mary opens the road portion of its schedule with a weekend series at High Point this weekend. The three-game series begins on Friday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.
