Virginia grabs CWS crown
OMAHA, Neb. — Six weeks ago, it looked as though Virginia might not even qualify for its conference tournament, let alone the NCAA Tournament.
Look at the Cavaliers now.
They’re national champions for the first time in baseball after finishing a magnificent postseason run with a 4-2 victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
“This team was a crazy ride this year,” said coach Brian O’Connor, who was born in Omaha. “Certainly, we had a lot that went against us through the year, but this team found a way and got into the NCAA Tournament. It’s an amazing example of what you can do if you put your mind to it, play for each other and have each other’s backs.
“Not many people thought this could happen. I couldn’t have forecast it. But we’re darn glad we’re sitting up here with this trophy.”
Freshman Pavin Smith homered and drove in three runs and Brandon Waddell turned in another strong College World Series pitching performance. The Cavaliers (44-24) prevailed in the CWS finals rematch against the defending champion Commodores and won the Atlantic Coast Conference’s first title in baseball since Wake Forest in 1955.
“We were just a team that never gives up,” Smith said. “Really resilient. It showed in the first inning when we were down 2-0 and didn’t stop playing.”
Waddell (5-5) went seven innings and allowed only two hits after Vanderbilt (51-21) scored twice in the first. He retired the last 11 batters he faced in his third CWS start and fifth of his career. Virginia won each of them.
“At this point, everything goes. If you’ve got anything in the tank, you’re giving it,” Waddell said. “You’ve got nothing to save it for.”
Nathan Kirby, who missed nine weeks because of injury and returned to start a game in the CWS, pitched the last two innings and struck out five.
