Virginia outfielder Jake McCarthy (Aaron Fitt)

Fall Report: Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia baseball is a well-oiled machine. In 14 years under Brian O’Connor, the Cavaliers have not missed a regional or won fewer than 38 games in a season. Whenever this program has key pieces to replace, new stars always emerge to keep the good times rolling.

So while UVa. will certainly miss departed first-rounders Pavin Smith and Adam Haseley (the No. 7 and No. 8 overall picks) plus mainstays Robbie Coman and Ernie Clement, there’s no reason to expect any kind of dropoff from last year’s 43-win, regional-hosting campaign.

It’s simply time for a[…]