University of Virginia Library

Lacross-Grossman Matchup

Cavs Need Win Against Terps

By BILL BERNO

CD/Bob Humphrey

Another Squabble Is Decided With Cavaliers Apparent Victors

Cavs Travel To Maryland Today In Hopes Of Gaining ACC Title

Another entry in the long
series of games that "we can't
lose" faces the Cavalier
baseball team today when it
takes on the Maryland Terps in
one of the big games of the
ACC season.

Coach Jim West explained
the situation in the
unpredictable ACC dogfight.
"We cannot lose," he said, "or
we will have no chance to win
the title. If we win two of the
remaining games and have two
rain outs, we will be tied for the
lead with North Carolina,
which has finished at 10-5."

All Games Important

"If we would win three, we
would move ahead of North
Carolina. If we win all four
games, there is no way that we
can lose the title. But if we lose
one, then there is no way that
we can win it."

Although Maryland has
compiled an 8-5 record, the
Terps are in much the same
situation as the Cavs. Neither
team can afford to lose today's
game.

Rain Could Be Factor

Yesterday's rain raised the
possibility of cancellation,
which then would enhance the
Cavs' chances of sweeping three
games from weekend foe
Clemson. Rain outs are not
rescheduled, according to a
recent ruling by the
conference. Even though
rain outs eliminate the
possibility of a win, they also
make it impossible to lose,
which is the important thing
for the Cavs.

Mr. West added, "We're
going to play each one as we
come to it. Maryland has a
good ballclub. They have
strong hitters, but other than
Grossman, they don't have
very good pitching down the
line."

"Of course, that won't help
us at all." Mr. West is right,
because ace righthander Bob
Grossman returns to plague the
Cavs again today.

Grossman 1-0 Against Virginia

Grossman was last seen
beating the Cavs, 2-1, a few
weeks back. Since that
disappointing loss, the Cavs
have reeled off four straight
ACC victories.

CD/Bob Humphrey

Robbin Marvin Beats Throw

Principal architect of the
turnaround has been streaking
Dave Lacross, who has pitched
three complete game victories
in a row to raise his record to
3-2. Lacross will oppose
Grossman in today's game
which might prove to be a
great pitchers' duel.

Two of the ACC's leading
batters will try to connect with
the elusive pitches of each
hurler. Catcher Skip Smith of
Maryland is tied for the league
lead with a .348 batting
average. Close behind him in
third spot is the Cavalier
captain Robbin Marvin who
has raised his average to .343
thanks to a recent 14 for 29
spree.

Terps Bang Ball

Other notable hitters
include the Terps' Mike Baier,
a second-baseman slugging at a
.308 clip; Ken Knechtel, a
shortstop, also batting .308;
Vince Bateman, a
third baseman and a .287 hitter;
and centerfielder Tom Law,
who is batting at a .247 pace.

Cavalier sluggers are Marvin,
Jonathan Williams (.289), and
Steve Sroba (.276). They are
the only three Cavs batting
over .250. Sroba, as usual,
will move to first base against
the righthander Grossman.
Marvin will take his place in
center field and Duval White
will fill the gap at second base.

Other Starters

Completing the starting
lineup for the Terps will be
Harry Martell in left field,
Steve Shaw in right, and Chris
Quail at first base.

The Cavaliers will start
Lacross, Dan Bernstein at
catcher, Sroba, White, Billy
Hall at short Jonathan
Williams, Dave Bratt in right,
Marvin and Terry Dan in left.

Mr. West said that Maryland
"has good team speed" but he
should not slight his own
ballplayers, who can also pick
'em up and put 'em down.

Successful on 40 out of 42
stolen base attempts, the Cavs
have winged feet on the
base paths. Leading thief is
Marvin, who has swiped 15
bags without being caught.
Included in this total is a
sizeable number of trips to
third base, an accomplishment
which takes even more speed.