University of Virginia Library

Drop To Fourth

Mittmen Lose Three

By Hugh Carter
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Tarheel Runner Dives Back To First Before Cavalier Steve Sroba Can Apply Tag

Baseball Team Fell To Fourth Place In ACC Standings With Three Straight Losses

The slumping Virginia baseball
team continued to drop in the
Atlantic Coast Conference
standings as it lost a close 8-7
decision to the University of South
Carolina on Sunday.

The Cavaliers, who just last
Tuesday were in the thick of the
title race, plummeted to fourth as a
result of a weekend road trip to
sunny South Carolina.

Virginia started its run at the
title last Thursday by defeating
Clemson in a runaway on the Tigers
diamond, but saw its hopes dimmed
somewhat as the Tigers returned to
edge them on Friday.

"Road Blues"

The Cavaliers then traveled to
Columbia to face the Gamecocks in
the first of a two game series.
Experiencing the "road blues" that
seem to plague ACC baseball teams
as well as the basketball squads, the
batmen were beaten 3-2 on
Saturday.

Needing a victory on Sunday to
stay alive, the Cavaliers led until the
ninth-inning when South Carolina's
John Gambrell cracked a two-out
double to score two runs and rally
the Gamecocks from a 7-6 deficit
to their one tally victory margin.

Steve Sroba lined a three-run
homer for the Cavaliers in the fifth
for the only bright spot on an
otherwise gloomy day.

Mike Judkins picked up the loss
in relief of starter Steve Brindle,
while Phil Houston was credited
with the win in his n's role
for the Gamecocks.

Maryland Leads

Maryland's Terps continue to
lead the scramble for the top spot
with a 9-4 record although they lost
two games to Clemson in away
encounters. Clemson took over
Virginia's second position on the
strength of its 8-4 ledger.

N.C. State holds down its third
place even though it did not play
last week as the Wolfpack owns a
9-5 mark. The final first division
team is the Cavaliers, who need a
victory at Maryland on Thursday to
finish in sole possession of the
fourth spot. Virginia is 7-6 in the
conference and 20-8 overall.

Virginia — 000 140 020 — 773
S. Carolina — 000 303 002 — 8
101

Brindle, JUDKINS (6) and
Beale:

Bolton, Erbaugh (6), HOUSTON
(9) and Choate, Heckie (8).