The University of Virginia's baseball squad will bring its 2026 regular season to a close with a three‑game series against the Louisville Cardinals, beginning Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Cavaliers' home field.
Series Schedule and Pitching Matchups
Game one will see senior right‑hander Henry Zatkowski take the mound for Virginia, followed by left‑hander John Paone in the second contest on Friday night, also at 6 p.m., and sophomore Kyle Johnson slated to start the finale on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Both teams enter the series with contrasting résumés; the Cavaliers sit at 34‑18 and hold an RPI of 23, while the Cardinals are 28‑25 with an RPI of 90, underscoring the competitive edge Virginia hopes to exploit.
Virginia’s offensive core has been prolific, led by junior AJ Gracia, who tops the lineup with 14 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .324 batting average, complemented by a .1.074 OPS. Sam Harris close behind with 14 homers, 51 RBIs and a .315 average, while Joe Tiroly adds 13 homers and 53 RBIs, posting a .305 average and a .951 OPS.
The supporting cast includes Harrison Didawick, who contributes eight homers, 45 RBIs, a .311 average and 12 stolen bases, as well as Antonio Perrotta, who supplies 4 homers and 21 RBIs with a .289 average.
Louisville counters with its own star power; Tague Davis leads the Cardinals with 34 homers, 93 RBIs and a .364 average, while Zion Rose adds 5 homers, 38 RBIs, a .411 average and 19 stolen bases. Additional contributors such as Jimmy Nugent, Ben Slanker and Bayram Hot provide depth with double‑digit homers and solid on‑base production.
As the regular season draws to a close, the series offers both teams a final opportunity to fine‑tune strategies before the postseason, with Virginia aiming to translate its strong offensive numbers into a strong finish.