VIRGINIA BASEBALL He doesn't anticipate the friendly heckling from his teammates will slow down or stop as the start of the season nears. Virginia catcher Jacob Ference understands the badgering that comes with spending a sixth season in college. "I get called unc[le] or old guy, and I get chirped at in batting practice like, 'Go get a LinkedIn.
Get a job,'" Ference said as he chuckled. "And it's funny banter among the guys, but I like to be the guy to pass down some wisdom because I can teach you a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two." It's one of the reasons why the veteran backstop, who began his career at Division III Salisbury (Maryland), said he opted to stay for a second go-around with the Cavaliers instead of entering the MLB Draft after smacking 17 home runs and hitting .
350 while helping UVa reach the College World Series in 2024. He said he had more fun last spring than any before in the sport and wanted to be in a leadership position this year for UVa, which is seeking a third-consecutive trip to Omaha in 2025. The Hoos — ranked No.
2 in D1Baseball's Preseason Top 25 — are scheduled to hold their first official practice on Friday in preparation for their Feb. 14 opener against Michigan at the Puerto Rico Challenge. Ference wasn't the only key member of last year's team who decided to stick around either.
Michigan vs. Virginia Puerto Rico Challenge 1 p.m.
Feb. 14 Pitcher Jay Woolfolk has returned on the heels of his stellar postseason in which he earn.