Virginia Cavaliers head coach Brian O’Connor entered the ACC Tournament with the strategy of “winning every game.” Given that the Georgia Tech matchup was meaningless in terms of winning their pool, and ace pitcher Even Blanco still started the game, I interpret this as “our number one priority is getting our arms ready but fresh for the regionals.”
Blanco had a vintage Blanco day, managing to cruise through the lineup without striking out the world. His final line was six scoreless innings, surrendering five hits, a walk, and punching out three. As it turned out, it would not have mattered who started, though, as the Cavaliers offense exploded to a 13-0 run rule victory over the Jackets.