The University of Virginia baseball team secured a 15-11 victory over Southern Mississippi in an NCAA tournament elimination game at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss., on May 31. The win ensures that the Cavaliers will play at least one more day together as they continue their postseason run.
AJ Gracia, a junior center-fielder projected to be an early pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft, said after the game, “It’s pretty hard to ignore that,” when asked about the possibility of his college career ending. Gracia added, “I think there’s something to be said about [how] you’re kind of looking the end right in the face, playing college baseball, and you don’t want it to end. I think we’ve kind of talked the last couple of weeks about just fighting for another day together. So that’s kind of where I’m at with that.”
Second-seeded Virginia (37-22) will next face third-seeded Jacksonville State (47-14) on Sunday afternoon. The winner will advance to play fourth-seeded Little Rock later that day for a chance to secure a spot in a best-of-three super regional series.
Head coach Chris Pollard described Saturday’s contest as highly competitive: “Maybe as hostile an atmosphere and as back-and-forth of an affair, with both teams just throwing haymakers, as any ball game I’ve ever been in,” Pollard said. He praised Gracia’s performance—five hits and five runs batted in—as “the most ever by a Cavalier in an NCAA tournament game.” Pollard also called Gracia “the best player I’ve ever coached,” noting his consistency and approach.
The Cavaliers overcame several lead changes throughout the match and ultimately pulled ahead with four runs scored during extra innings. Zach Jackson delivered a crucial two-run single after receiving encouragement from hitting coach Eric Tyler: “He just told me to stick to my approach.” Kyle Johnson followed with a two-run home run.
Two Virginia players—John Paone and Johnson—were ejected for excessive celebrations during Saturday’s game and must serve one-game suspensions against Jacksonville State. Pollard apologized postgame, “I’m embarrassed that we had two players kicked out of the game for losing their composure,” he said.
Looking ahead, Pollard indicated it would be “a whole staff approach” on Sunday due to fatigue among pitchers following Saturday’s extended contest.
