Virginia survived a late rally to edge Duke 6-4 in the second round of the 2026 ACC Baseball Championship, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
Defensive Masterclass
The Cavaliers turned two runners out at home plate, a rare feat that halted Duke's momentum and preserved a slim lead. Zach Johnson's pivotal play in the eighth inning sparked a defensive surge that kept the opposition at bay.
AJ Gracia reached base in all four of his plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a run scored, providing a steady spark at the top of the lineup.
Catcher Jake Weatherspoon powered the offense with a 2-for-4 performance that included a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored, driving in crucial runs during the sixth inning.
Sixth Inning Surge
Virginia exploded for four runs in the sixth, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead. The burst was anchored by Weatherspoon's RBI single and a timely hit from Tyler Albright, who contributed a multi-hit effort.
Reliever Lucas Hartman closed out the ninth with his first save of the season, striking out the side to seal the 6-4 victory.
Henry Zatkowski earned the win after a solid six-inning outing, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
Duke's Late Push Falls Short
Duke rallied in the ninth with a two-run homer from Tyler Albright, narrowing the gap but ultimately falling short as Virginia's defense held firm.
The Cavaliers will now travel to face No. 1 seed Georgia Tech in the quarterfinals, a matchup that promises another intense battle between two of the conference's top programs.