Here’s the good news for Virginia fans: We’ve seen the Cavs climb out of this hole against Vanderbilt before. In the College World Series finals last year, Virginia bounced back from a Game 1 loss to even the series with a 7-2 win in Game 2. The Hoos still had to watch Vandy dogpile after Game 3, of course, but simply extending the series would be a win after Monday night’s 5-1 loss.
College World Series 2015, Vanderbilt vs. Virginia: Time, TV schedule and live stream
After a convincing 5-1 win in Game 1, Vandy looks to close out the Cavs on Tuesday for a second consecutive national title.
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
The big difference between this year and last, however, is that Virginia doesn’t have big-time pitcher Brandon Waddell available. The gritty vet pitched a complete-game gem in Game 2 of the 2014 finals, but after being pressed into service last Saturday against Florida, he is stuck watching from the dugout this time around.
So while a fully stocked Vandy staff gets ready to throw Philip Pfeifer (who’s allowed just two earned runs in his last 13⅔ tournament innings), Virginia’s still trying to figure out its best option. Brian O’Connor refused to name a starter in the Monday night presser, but he’ll likely be piecing together some combination of the still-recovering Nathan Kirby and reliever Josh Sborz.
After being completely shut down by a red-hot (and reportedly sick) Carson Fulmer for the better part of eight innings, the Virginia bats did finally find a bit of momentum in the ninth, when they got three baserunners and scored their first run. The fact that one run counts as momentum tells you how dominant Vandy was, but it was nevertheless a positive development for the Cavs. Baseball is a game of streaks, and Virginia is hoping that ninth-inning spark turns into a crackling blaze against Pfeifer.
How to watch
First pitch: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN
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