Paone strikes out nine in Virginia’s 2-1 victory over Cal

WVEC-TV

No. 23 Virginia baseball leaned on a standout performance from freshman pitcher John Paone to earn a 2-1 victory over Cal on Saturday afternoon at Disharoon Park.

The Cavaliers improved to 33-17 overall and 13-13 in ACC play, while the Golden Bears fell to 26-24 and 9-17 in conference action. The victory allowed Virginia to even the weekend series.

Paone turned in the longest outing by a Virginia pitcher this season, working 7.2 innings while allowing only one run and striking out a season-high nine batters. Tyler Kapa earned the win in relief, improving to 2-0 on the year.

Cal grabbed an early lead after Carl Schmidt connected on a solo home run in the second inning. It proved to be the Bears’ only run of the game, as Paone settled in and surrendered just one more hit for the remainder of his outing.

Virginia’s offense struggled to generate opportunities early against Cal starter Gavin Eddy, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Antonio Perrotta lined a single up the middle to break it up. Perrotta later finished 2-for-2 with a double to lead the Cavaliers offensively, while Joe Tiroly added a hit.

Paone continued his dominant afternoon in the sixth inning by striking out all three batters he faced.

The Cavaliers finally tied the game in the seventh inning. Kyle Johnson reached on a one-out walk and moved to third on a double by Perrotta before scoring on a dropped third strike that escaped the Cal catcher.

Virginia pushed across the winning run an inning later after Harrison Didawick drew a walk and advanced to third following a Cal defensive error. Jake Weatherspoon then brought Didawick home on a fielder’s choice to give the Cavaliers a 2-1 lead.

Kapa closed out the game despite a late threat from the Bears, who placed two runners on base in the ninth inning before Virginia recorded the final out on a ground ball to third.

Paone’s nine strikeouts were the most by a Virginia freshman pitcher since Tomas Valincius recorded 10 strikeouts against Rice on Feb. 16, 2025, during the Puerto Rico Challenge.

The victory also marked the first time this season Virginia won a game while scoring two runs or fewer. The Cavaliers improved to 31-0 when leading after eight innings, while Kapa remained effective out of the bullpen by recording his 17th scoreless outing in 21 appearances this season.

Saturday additionally marked Antonio Perrotta’s first career start at first base for Virginia.