University of Virginia Library

Baseball Team Defends Crown;
Hall Signs With San Diego Padres

By BILL BERNO

Coming off one of their
most memorable seasons, the
Cavalier baseball players are
looking forward to spring and a
chance to defend their 1972
ACC championship.

Coach Jim West's team
provided a pleasant surprise on
the Charlottesville sports scene
last year, but this year the Cavs
will be trying to stay ahead of
a pack which will be in hot
pursuit of the title.

Vets Back

Returning lettermen should
be able to fill the holes left by
the graduation of All-ACC
choice Robbin Marvin, relief
pitching ace Mike Judkins and
outfielder Terry Dan.
Shortstop Billy Hall has left
the University after signing a
contract with the San Diego
Padres. The latest word is that
he is batting 282 in the Padres
farm system.

Cavs Now Slower Pokes

Mr. West is most concerned
about the loss of speed on the
team. Marvin and Hall were
outstanding on the basepaths,
and the Cavs were successful
on 49 of 51 base-stealing
attempts.

Saying that he had "an
excellent recruiting year," Mr.
West looks to the first-yearmen
for added depth. Bolstering the
mound staff will be five new
pitchers.

Savvy Mound Crew

Returning starters include
pitchers Steve Brindle, Dave
Lacrosse, John Cunningham,
Brian Hilburn, Doug Heatwole
and Paul Temple. The catchers
will be Dan Bernstein and Al
Bracht. Infielders will be
Jonathan Williams, Bill White,
Charlie Williams, and Duval
White. Possible starters in the
infield are Steve Sroba and
Dave Bratt, who are more
familiar with the expanses of
the outfield.

Along with the veterans,
there will be a large number of
utility players and
first-yearmen trying to break
into the starting lineup. The
roster is polluted by
underclassmen, which makes
for hot competition among the
players.

Post-Season Play

For their defense of the
ACC crown, the Cavs will enter
a new post-season tournament
between the loop teams. The
winner of the tourney will
advance to the NCAA Regional
tournament.

In the past, the conference
champion has been determined
by the season record against
conference teams. This year's
tourney will put everything on
the line in a period of several
days.

Mr. West was cautious when
he said, "We should be as good
as last year." That should be
good enough