To say that Sunday's game against Virginia (you know, the game we actually won rather than collapse) was crucial is not an understatement. Up until this weekend Maryland had fed on cupcakes much like the basketball team had done early in their season. Nine games, nine straight victories, many by lopsided scores. But this weekend was UVA on the road, UVA being undefeated and ranked in the top 20. Due to the blizzrd that never happened last week the field conditions forced Friday's game into being played as part of a double header. The first game went back and forth with Virginia winning on a walk-off double in the ninth. In the second game Brady Kirkpatrick pitched well, but the Terps couldn't solve Virginia's Scott Silverstein. Although the Terps outhit UVA they fell 5-0. So a loss yesterday would have meant an 0-3 start to the ACC season and a 1-6 road record. But the Terps scrtached out a hard fought 4-2 win. The game's pivotal moment came in the bottom of the third. Alex Robinson held UVA hitless through 2 2/3 inning then gave up a triple to Brandon Downs. Alex proceeded to throw eight straight balls to load the bases and "Chef" made a gutsy decision: pull Alex and bring in another freshman, Kevin Mooney to picth. Mooney delivered, forcing an inning-ending fly out and then throwing two more scoreless innings. What I found encouraging is that Maryland played quite poised, especially their freshmen. During the series UVA committed eight errors to only two by the Terps. Pitchers Mooney and Casas along with first baseman LaMonte Wade preformed great in their ACC debut.