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in the weekend rotation is second-year southpaw 1.70 ERA), who now pitches in the Cleveland Brandon Waddell (6-3, 3.96 ERA in 16 starts in Indians organization. Kuhn said there are options, 2013), who said there was a lot to take away from but like the starter roles the bullpen is a work in his first season as a starter. progress. "Last season, I gained a lot of experience that I "Every year we go into it and we may have a can apply to my second year," he said. "I think the candidate or two, someone who had closed before thing I learned that will help me most, the tough or gotten really pressure-packed outs and someone experiences that I encountered in my first year, I always seems to emerge, but we're not there yet," might not have known how to react or the best way Kuhn admitted. "But guys like Mayberry, Lewicki, to pitch through it, I can fall back on the lessons I Austin Young and Sborz have gotten big outs for learned last year." us." Kuhn said that in addition to Waddell, third-year Baseball America analyst Aaron Fitt likes what right-hander Nick Howard (6-4, 3.38), secondhe sees with the rotation and said if the Hoos can year left-hander Nathan Kirby (4-1, 6.06), redsettle on a couple of spots they should be a very shirt fourth-year right-hander Whit Mayberry (4-0, effective group. 2.45) and second-year right-hander Josh Sborz "The pitching staff is very talented," Fitt said, (3-0, 1.98) will be in the mix for the weekend rota"but the key to the season is for Kirby and Howard tion. Fourth-year right-hander Artie Lewicki, who to take the big steps forward Virginia is expecting, is coming off Tommy John and for someone to replace CAVALIERS AT A GLANCE surgery, will have a chance Crockett at the back of the Head Coach: Brian O'Connor, 461-161-2 at to improve on a fine 2012 bullpen." UVa and overall (11th year) season (4-3, 3.82) during The Cavaliers also will 2013 In Review: 50-12, 22-8 ACC (2nd which he made 13 starts. have the services of twoCoastal Division); lost to Mississippi State in Two rookies will also get year starter Nate Irving beNCAA Super Regional a look at starter roles. High hind the plate. Not only a Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2 School All-Americans Jack reliable clutch hitter (.284), Lettermen Returning/Lost: 21/10 Roberts and Connor Jones, Irving is a guy that runs the Key Additions: RHP Connor Jones, C Matt Perfect Game's No. 26 high defense extremely well and Thaiss, INF Daniel Pinero and RHP Jack Roberts school player nationally, are has built a strong rapport Key Losses: LHP Kyle Crockett (4-1, 12 saves, candidates. with the pitchers. 1.70 ERA), 2B Reed Gragnani (.304, 3 HR, 49 "It's ridiculous how many If teams are able to score RBI), 1B Jared King (.288, 1 HR, 38 RBI), and LHP quality guys we have," Wadsome runs on the pitching Scott Silverstein (10-2, 3.15 ERA) dell said. "The majority of staff, they'll still have to our staff can go out there find a way to shut down a RETURNING LEADERS any day and do a wonderful potent offense. Batting Average: Mike Papi (.381) job. We know we can count O'Connor returns the Runs: Brandon Downes (67) on everybody to do their job bulk of an offense that led Home Runs: Downes (10) regardless of what that job the ACC in batting average RBI: Downes (59) is." (.312), slugging percentERA: David Rosenberger (1.38) Virginia, however, needs age (.463) and extra base Wins: Nick Howard and Brandon Waddell (6) to replace closer Kyle hits (208). Third-year outSaves: Whit Mayberry and Josh Sborz (2) Crockett (4-1, 12 saves, fielder/first baseman Mike i22-23.Baseball Preview.indd 3 1/16/14 12:16 PM