When Virginia reached the College World Series for the first time two years ago, coach Brian O’Connor gave his players tips on how to manage the “circus” atmosphere in Omaha.
He gave them the same tips this week in preparation for their return to the biggest stage in college baseball. Pitcher Danny Hultzen said having been there once makes it easier.
“Last time, it was just a joyride, but this time we know what to expect and I feel like it’s just a little bit different,” said Hultzen, also the designated hitter. “It’s just as exciting. We’re just as proud to be there, but there’s still a little bit of a different feeling.”
That’s mostly because the Cavaliers (54-10) arrived Thursday as the nation’s No. 1 overall seed, fresh off a two-out, ninth-inning comeback to beat UC Irvine 3-2 on Monday.
The Anteaters were on the verge of turning the tables on Virginia, which traveled to California two years ago and beat the No. 1 overall seed twice to earn its first CWS bid.
“That was actually insane,” Hultzen said of the rally against Irvine ace Matt Summers that began after Hultzen struck out and Kenny Swab grounded out to first. “It just goes to show that we can never doubt ourselves because we were down to our last strike.
“That was going to be the end of our season. Just coming back from something like that, I think, says a lot about our team.”
The Cavaliers open against California (37-21), the lowest seed in the field, on Sunday. Virginia will be trying to become only the second top overall seed to win the championship since the format was changed in 1999. Miami won that first season.
Any question about the Cavaliers’ focus and intensity were answered during practice Wednesday, O’Connor said, when two players almost came to blows.
“Our players are very excited,” he said. “They understand that we’re going there for a job to do and that the goal has not been met.”
