Box Score MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Defending national champion Virginia scored seven runs with two outs in an 8-0 win over Appalachian State University baseball on Saturday afternoon at Pelicans Ballpark.

No. 4-ranked Virginia (2-0) was 10-for-20 with two outs, including a back-breaking three-run double by shortstop Daniel Pinero in the fifth inning that gave the Cavaliers a commanding 5-0 lead.

With two outs and one runner on in the top of the fifth, Virginia's Matt Thaiss hit a grounder that went through the legs of freshman shortstop Henry Davis to extend the inning. After a walk loaded the bases, Pinero ripped a line drive into left-center field. Appalachian State left fielder Tyler Stroup made an incredible diving effort to pull in the sinking liner but the ball glanced off the edge of his glove and skipped into the gap. The result was a bases-clearing double that drove in three unearned runs and stretched the Mountaineers' 2-0 deficit into a daunting 5-0 hole.

An inning later, Virginia extended the lead to 8-0 with three more two-out runs. Relief pitcher Travis Holden easily retired the first two batters of the inning but the Cavaliers responded with five-straight hits, including three infield singles, to plate the game's final three runs.

Like it did in Friday's season-opening loss to No. 23 Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State (0-2) had plenty of opportunities to put runs on the board but struggled at the plate with men on base. The Mountaineers had men on base in seven of the game's nine innings but went 1-for-12 with runners on, 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine men stranded. Appalachian has left 23 runners on base over the first two games of the young season.

Appalachian State starting pitcher Seth Hardin was spectacular in his collegiate debut despite being saddled with the tough-luck loss. The right-handed true freshman scattered seven hits and allowed five runs over five innings. However, only one of the five runs was earned due to two costly Mountaineer errors.

Appalachian closes the season-opening weekend at the Caravelle Resort Tournament on Sunday when it takes on undefeated Old Dominion (2-0) at Pelicans Ballpark. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.