It was only one glorious season. In 2004, Virginia posted a school-record 44-wins and earned its first NCAA tournament appearance in nearly a decade.
The achievements could’ve been perceived as an anomaly, but Brandon Guyer knew exactly what was going on in Charlottesville under then first-year coach Brian O’Connor.
All the former Herndon standout has done since joining the Cavaliers the following year is help them to three more 40-win campaigns and three more consecutive NCAA appearances, matching the program’s total visits to the NCAAs prior to the historic 2004 season.
“To tell you the truth, after I met the coaches, I knew that they would change this program around, and good things were going to happen,” said Guyer, a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. “That was the main reason I came here.”
Beginning this afternoon, the Cavaliers (43-14) will host a double-elimination NCAA regional for the second straight year and third time in four seasons. Currently ranging between No. 5 and No. 8 in national polls, this spring they’ve been ranked as high as No. 3, a program record. They’ve also become a regular local attraction in their sixth year at 3,200-seat Davenport Stadium, where they’ve improved their average attendance to a record 1,640 — including four sellouts.
“My son and I drove down there, and it was sold out,” said Al McCullock, Guyer’s former baseball coach at Herndon. “Somebody gave us tickets, and we couldn’t even see the game because there were so many people there. You’re 10 people back standing. That’s great, and who wouldn’t want to play there?”
As the program’s star has risen, so has Guyer. He’s tied for the team high with seven homers, second in RBI (47) and batting average (.369), and he’s 10 hits shy of the single-season record of 92, held by Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
It could be a hint of things to come, with Guyer fully expecting to be selected in next week’s Major League Baseball draft.
“I know where I should go. I know there’s a great chance of me getting drafted, but anything can happen with the draft,” said Guyer, who’s not letting it distract him from trying to lead the Cavs to their first-ever Super Regional and hopefully, College World Series.
“I make sure it’s not. I play first and only for this team. The only thing I care about right now is trying to do my part to make this team the best it can be.”
Charlottesville Region
» When: Today at Davenport Stadium, Charlottesville
» Who: No. 1 Virginia (43-14) vs. No. 4 Lafayette (33-18), 4; No. 2 Rutgers (41-19) vs. No. 3 Oregon State (38-17), 8
