Virginia Wins Charlottesville Regional, Early Named Most Outstanding Player

Virginia (48-12) defeated East Carolina (47-19) 8-3 on Sunday night at Disharoon Park to clinch the Charlottesville Regional and advance to the Super Regional round of the 2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament. 

UVA starting pitcher Connelly Early was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Charlottesville Regional after securing the win in the deciding game on Sunday, allowing just two earned runs in 6.1 innings and striking out 10 batters. Joining Early on the Charlottesville Regional All-Tournament Team was eight other Cavaliers: catcher Kyle Teel, first baseman Ethan Anderson, third baseman Jake Gelof, shortstop Griff O'Ferrall, outfielder Casey Saucke, outfielder Ethan O'Donnell, designated hitter Anthony Stephan, and pitcher Nick Parker. 

Charlottesville Regional All-Tournament Team

C – Kyle Teel (Virginia)
1B – Ethan Anderson (Virginia)
2B – Jacob Starling (ECU)
3B – Jake Gelof (Virginia)
SS – Griff O’Ferrall (Virginia)
OF – Casey Saucke (Virginia)
OF – Bryce Madron (Oklahoma)
OF – Ethan O’Donnell (Virginia)
DH – Easton Carmichael (Oklahoma)/Anthony Stephan (Virginia)
P – Connelly Early (Virginia)
P – Nick Parker (Virginia)
Most Outstanding Player: Connelly Early (Virginia)

Virginia went 3-0 on the weekend, defeating Army 15-1 on Friday, East Carolina 2-1 on Saturday, and then East Carolina again 8-3 on Sunday. The Cavaliers trailed the Pirates 2-1 through the sixth inning on Sunday, but a three-run home run by Ethan O'Donnell in the seventh thrust UVA into the lead 4-2. Anthony Stephan hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to give Virginia some separation, and then Kyle Teel delivered a solo home run in the top of the ninth to put the nail in the coffin. 

Jake Berry got UVA to the finish line in both games against East Carolina, recording the final six outs to save Virginia's 2-1 win on Saturday, and pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the win on Sunday. Berry retired each of the nine batters he faced this weekend. 

Virginia won the Charlottesville Regional for the first time since 2014 and advances to host a Super Regional at Disharoon Park for the first time since 2015. UVA will face either No. 10 seed Coastal Carolina or ACC rival Duke next weekend. Coastal Carolina and Duke will play a winner-take-all game 7 on Monday at 6pm to determine the winner of the Conway Regional. 

Read a full recap of Virginia's win over East Carolina here: Strong Pitching, Late Fireworks Propel Virginia Past East Carolina 8-3

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