A Thrilling ACC Championship Showdown
The Cavaliers traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to meet the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Baseball Championship, where a tightly contested game ended 6-4 in Virginia’s favor.
Duke drew first blood in the opening frame, but the Cavaliers answered quickly, tying the contest before the early innings closed.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the sixth inning when Virginia strung together back‑to‑back doubles, setting the stage for Zach Jackson’s two‑run triple that put the team ahead for good.
Jackson’s clutch hit was complemented by the steady work of Henry Zatkowski, who earned his eighth win with six innings of two‑run ball and four strikeouts.
Jake Weatherspoon added a solo home run in the eighth inning, extending the lead to 6‑2 and giving the Cavaliers breathing room.
Duke refused to go quietly, mounting a two‑run rally in the ninth that threatened the margin, but Lucas Hartman closed the game with a save, preserving the victory.
Looking Ahead to the Quarterfinals
With the win secured, Virginia now turns its attention to the quarterfinals, where they will meet top‑seeded Georgia Tech. Freshman pitcher John Paone is slated to oppose Georgia Tech’s ace Tate McKee on the mound.