Virginia avenges last season’s title game loss

Smith drove in three runs and Waddell gave a solid performance on the mound

Omaha, Neb. – Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning to last year’s champion, in the last college baseball game of the season was not what Virginia had in mind.
But known for its late run production, it was no need to get nerved up so soon.
Freshman Pavin Smith couldn’t have said it better, using his bat to drive a Walker Bueler fastball over the right field wall, tying the game at two and singling home the go ahead run in the top of the fifth inning to help the Cavaliers to its first championship by defeating Vanderbilt 4-2 on Wednesday night in game three of the College Baseball World Series.
“We never give up,” said Smith.  “It showed in the first inning when we were down 2-0 and didn’t stop playing.”
Virginia also got a solid performance from mound presence Brandon Waddell.  Waddell (5-5) worked seven innings, allowing two hits after the Commodores scored in the first inning.  He retired the last 11 batters he faced.
“At this point, everything goes,” Waddell explained. “If you’ve got anything in the tank, you’re giving it.” “You’ve got nothing to save it for.”
Pavin hit a two-run homer off Walker Buehler tying the game at two in the top of the fourth inning. His run-scoring single in the fifth was the go-ahead run.
Nathan Kirby who relieved Waddell, was impressive in his innings of work.  He struck out five of the eight batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings.  With a man on first base, Kirby struck out the side in the eighth inning to dash the Commodores hopes of big inning.
John Kilichowski (3-4) took the loss for Vanderbilt.
The last strike out watched the Cavaliers piled the mound in celebration of its first baseball title.