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14 CAVALIER CORNER Off the diamond, Bryant was a mem- ber of Phi Beta Kappa honor society and received the ACC Award of Excellence for athletics and academics. LHP NATHAN KIRBY (2013-15) Kirby was one of the premier arms in college baseball and a linchpin on Virginia's 2014 and 2015 College World Series teams. His second year on Grounds he broke on to the national scene as a first-team All-American and was named the 2014 ACC Pitcher of the Year. He struck out 18 batters in a nine-inning no-hitter against Pitt on April 14, 2014, the pro- gram's fifth no-no. He dazzled again in the 2014 College World Series, combining for a one-hitter against Ole Miss, the first in College World Series since 1983. His first ca- reer save was the most important in pro- gram history, a two-inning, five-strike- out performance in game three of the 2015 College World Series final against Vanderbilt, clinching the program's first national championship. He was the 40th overall selection in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft. RHP BRANDEN KLINE (2010-12) Kline did it all on the mound for the Cavaliers, proving to be one of the ACC's top relievers and — eventually — starting pitchers. He made his mark as a reliever in 2011, collecting All-America honors from nearly every publication as well as first-team All-ACC accolades after saving 18 games, a then-program record. In total he saved 21 games in a Cavalier uniform, the third most in UVA history. After converting to a starter in 2012, he won seven games and struck out 94 batters in 93 innings before becoming a second-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles. Through incredible perseverance and overcoming multiple setbacks, Kline made his major league debut with the Orioles on April 20, 2019. He then an- nounced his retirement from baseball this past winter. OF/1B MIKE PAPI (2012-14) Papi was one of the most feared hit- ters in the Atlantic Coast Conference for three seasons. He became the first Cavalier in 30 years to win an ACC bat- ting crown after he posted a .381 average as a second-year. He garnered first-team All-ACC hon- ors at two positions, as an outfielder in 2013 and again as a first baseman in Mike Papi was one of the most feared hitters in the ACC and garnered first-team all-conference honors at two positions, as an outfielder in 2013 and again as a first baseman in 2014. PHOTO COURTESY UVA Branden Kline did it all on the mound for the Cavaliers, proving to be one of the ACC's top relievers and — eventually — starting pitchers. PHOTO COURTESY UVA