The opening game in the 2011 College World Series for the Virginia Cavaliers has turned into quite the pitchers duel. Despite having runners on base in almost every inning, the Cavaliers have yet to capitalize and score off Golden Bears pitching. Through five innings, Virginia has left eight runners on base.
Virginia ace Danny Hultzen has been stellar as usual, allowing just two hits and striking out six in his five innings of work, in the process lowering his ERA to a microscopic 1.43. California only got three innings out of starter Erik Johnson, who allowed five walks in his brief time on the mound. The Golden Bears bullpen will need to hold the Cavaliers offense in check the rest of the way.
At the plate, Virginia's John Barr is two for two, but is really the only batter in the game, for both sides, to have any success. Hultzen has helped his own cause by walking twice, and was robbed of a RBI hit in the bottom of the fifth on a tremendous play by California left fielder Austin Booker.