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20 CAVALIER CORNER BY SCOTT FITZGERALD B randon Neeck came to the Univer- sity of Virginia as a much-heralded recruit out of New York, a sought- after left-handed pitcher set to make an immediate impact on the Cavalier baseball program. Back in 2017, Neeck was rated as the No. 1 left-handed pitcher and No. 2 overall player from the Empire State, a recent hotbed for some of UVA's most recognizable contrib- utors. Names like Ernie Clement, Nate Irving and Branden Cogswell, all of whom helped UVA reach college baseball's pinnacle. When arriving on Grounds in the fall of 2017, Neeck was destined for the same path. A trip to Omaha with a spot in the weekend rotation was all part of the plan, but that plan was put on hold only a few prac- tices into the fall season. A lingering shoulder pain caused by a swing during his high school baseball days became something that was far too uncomfortable, and he brought to the attention of the Virginia medical staff. Shortly thereafter, Neeck's dreams of pitching at a national powerhouse like Vir- ginia and contributing in a run to Omaha would have to be put on hold. His immedi- ate future would be the operating room and then a lengthy rehab. He spent his entire first-year season rehabbing from a reconstructive shoulder operation that often claims the careers of pitchers. The arduous journey saw many long days rehabbing with athletic trainer Brian Mc- Guire, who played a pivotal role in getting him back on the mound, Neeck said. The Chappaqua, N.Y., native finally got his first taste of college baseball at its highest level, making his collegiate debut in relief against Bucknell in the spring of 2020. He went on to work a total of two innings, but then another derailment in his comeback would rear its ugly head; the COVID-19 pandemic forced the season to be canceled after only 18 games. The result of the abbreviated season was that many key figures on the mound returned, including Andrew Abbott and Griff McGarry, both of whom might have been selected in the 2020 MLB Draft had the pandemic not affected both college and professional base- ball. It also meant that a fortified rotation would be returning to complement a loaded lineup with heavy expectations. Still exercising caution, Neeck carved out a role as the team's left-handed specialist out of the bullpen, where he flourished in 2021. He finished the season with a 1.93 ERA over 22 games and 23 1 ⁄3 innings pitched. A key part of his job on a talented UVA pitching staff was to come in and get batters out in pressure situ- ations. Neeck was one of the best in the ACC, allowing only one of his 19 inherited runners to score and he was credited with three holds (a statistic that measures the effectiveness of middle relievers and is awarded to a pitcher who comes into a save situation and hands that lead over to the next reliever). All three of his holds came against ACC opponents. Postseason baseball is a different animal, and one never knows what specific role that they might be asked to do. Ask Devin Ortiz about his own role in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. He was thrust into a starting pitching spot in the most important game of the season, an NCAA Regional champion- ship game. All of that after logging just two innings on the mound in the previous two years. He delivered four shutout innings and went on to hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning to send the Cavaliers to the Super Regionals. Just two days earlier, Neeck's validation as a college baseball player came in one of the most dominant postseason pitching ef- forts the sport has ever seen. He was called upon to come out of the bullpen, just as he did 20 previous times that year and take over for McGarry, who was forced out of the game with a bloodied blister on his hand. Neeck took the opportunity and sprinted with it. He went on to set a UVA postseason record with 16 strikeouts in 5 2 ⁄3 innings of an elimination game against ODU. He and McGarry combined for 24 strikeouts in the contest, a single-game program record and the most in a nine-inning NCAA game since Auburn struck out 25 against Arkansas in 1994. Prior to the 2022 season, there have only been 10 games in the history of the NCAA where a team has struck out 24 or more batters in a nine-inning game. "The amount of confidence a player can get from a performance like that is phe- nomenal," head coach Brian O'Connor said afterward. "The guy has worked so hard and continued to grind and believe in himself and take advantage of his opportunities. "In that game, he certainly did and pitched us to victory." The performance jump-started the whole team and eventually led to the program's fifth College World Series berth in 13 years. If the remarkable performance was Neeck's validation, his reward came a few days prior to the beginning of the 2022 season when he was named the team's opening-day starter. "It's been a long time coming," Neeck said after getting the nod on opening day. "Certainly, there have been a lot of ups and downs in my college career so far and it's not exactly how I expected things to go. "But it's been a long time coming and I'm very excited." Neeck made five starts during UVA's 19-1 opening to the season, posting a 2-0 record with a 3.74 ERA. COMING ON STRONG Fourth-Year Left-Hander Brandon Neeck's Breakout 2021 Season Out Of The Bullpen Set Him Up To Be UVA's Opening-Day Starter This Year Neeck set a postseason school record with 16 strikeouts in 5 2 ⁄3 innings of relief against ODU in the NCAA Columbia Regional June 6, becoming only the fifth UVA pitcher ever to strike out 16 or more batters in a game. (Photo courtesy UVA)