CHARLOTTESVILLE Danny Hultzen's record as a pitcher is impeccable -- 9-1 with a 2.09 earned run average.
His record as a hitter is equally impressive -- .333 batting average with 33 RBI.
Those aren't bad numbers for a seasoned Atlantic Coast Conference veteran. They are even more impressive for an ACC rookie.
Hultzen is a freshman for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He is a primary reason the Cavaliers are playing in the College World Series.
The CWS is an eight-team, two-bracket, double-elimination tournament in Omaha, Neb. The survivors of each bracket play a best two-out-of three series for the national championship.
U.Va. (48-13-1) is making its first appearance in the College World Series. It is only the second team from the state to play in the CWS. James Madison in 1983 was the first.
Virginia is in bracket one and plays five-time champion LSU (51-16) on Saturday night.
Chances are good Hultzen will be on the mound.
"He's been our Friday night [No. 1] starter the entire year in the ACC, which is incredible," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. "To do that, you not only have to have great stuff and great ability, you also have to have all the intangibles. "This kid has that. That's what separates him from other people. He's got a lot of guts. He's been a difference maker for us all year long. He's very calm and very confident. He doesn't say a whole lot, but when he's on that mound or in that batter's box, he's a warrior."
Hultzen, 6-2, 190, was a 10th round draft choice of the Arizona Diamondbacks. That's an honor, but the 10th round is not where the money is. The Diamondbacks made it relatively easy for Hultzen, a native of Bethesda, Md., and a standout player at St. Albans School, to chose college over the pros.
"The money was not really the issue," Hultzen said. "College was really important to me. Getting my education was one of big factors in deciding to come here.
"I thought the whole experience of college was important before I went on to or thought about professional baseball. You grow up."
Hultzen has started 14 games this season, pitched 86 innings and given up 76 hits, struck out 95 batters and walked 27. Teams are hitting .242 against him.
"He has great velocity on his fastball; great command of his change up and slider," said Cavaliers catcher Franco Valdes. "He even throws a curveball every once in a while. To be so young and have great command of four pitches is something you don't see very often."
Andrew Carraway is in his fourth year as a pitcher for the Cavaliers. He remembers his freshman year well.
"I was just trying to make the travel squad," he said. "What Danny has done is amazing."
O'Connor finds Hultzen as amazing off the field as on.
"If I say, 'Hey we need to get the field picked up or pick up the cups in the dugout,' he's there picking them up," O'Connor said.
"After one of our games late in the season, he was one of the players picked to do the post-game interview. I was getting on the elevator as he came out of the clubhouse, and I said, 'Hey, Danny, jump on the elevator with me.' He said, 'Coach, no thanks. I take the stairs.' As a coach, you're like, 'Oh, my word.' Most players would take the easy way and take the elevator.
"This kid has never taken the elevator upstairs. That's just a small story that tells you what this kid's made of and what separates him from other people."
Hultzen smiled when he was told the elevator story.
"Yeah, I remember that," he said. "I don't know what to tell you. After taking the stairs all year, it would have felt weird to take the elevator."
Hultzen could feel weird about pitching in college while some of his friends are playing in the minor leagues. But he doesn't.
"That's their decision," he said. "I have no regrets about my decision."
Nor do the Cavaliers.
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