The Virginia baseball team endured a season full of injuries, early-season weather issues, and other challenges and by mid-April, it looked like this might be the first team of the Brian O’Connor era to miss the NCAA Tournament. In the end, however, it became the first O’Connor team to win the National Championship.
The Cavaliers wrapped up the incredible run with a 4-2 win against Vanderbilt on Wednesday night in Omaha. They finished the season on a 17-6 tear from May 8 to June 24. That included a 10-2 mark in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by seven come-from-behind victories. UVa trailed 2-0 in the final game against Vandy, but rallied once again as it became the first team to come back from a two-run deficit to win a championship game since Cal State Fullerton in 2004 vs. Texas.
The title is the 23rd NCAA Championship for the University of Virginia. It ended a 60-year wait for the ACC, which had captured only one previous baseball title when Wake Forest won in 1955.
Of course, that set off quite the celebration for the Wahoo Nation. Relive the euphoria with these outtakes from Twitter.
NATIONAL CHAMPS! The final out and celebration of your 2015 National Champion @UVABaseball http://t.co/TS183PeGFC
— VirginiaSportsTV (@VaSportsTV) June 25, 2015
Time to celebrate: Virginia becomes ACC's 1st baseball champion since Wake Forest in 1955. It's UVA's 1st #CWS title. pic.twitter.com/LDaEHWMa2i
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2015
From #ACC play-in game to ACC's first #CWS title in 60 years. Amazing doesn't begin to describe @UVABaseball's postseason run.
— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) June 25, 2015
Since 1955, 44 #ACCBase teams have reached the #CWS without a title – until now! #StreakBroken Congrats, @UVABaseball pic.twitter.com/qDLqLrPTfR
— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) June 25, 2015
Pure happiness… pic.twitter.com/2gOgbA3ZmS
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 25, 2015
NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆
— Brandon Waddell (@BWaddell20) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/JoshuaTree_27/status/613938747466321920
https://twitter.com/ConnorJones33/status/613943780937338880
HOOS!!!! National champs!!!!
— Matt Thaiss (@Matt_Thaiss) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/PavinSmith/status/613937714556207104
Thank you to everybody who stood behind us throughout this year. We're bringing back a trophy!!!!! #proudtobeaCAVALIER
— Nathan Kirby (@KathanNirby) June 25, 2015
I do not want this night to end. We are the 2015 NCAA National Champions. @UVABaseball
— Kevin Arico (@Arico11Suave) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/kirbdog88888/status/613938445392592896
https://twitter.com/Mike6Roberts/status/613931704747626496
YOUR 2015 NCAA BASEBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS… THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CAVALIERS!!! #wahoo4life #heart #brothers @UVABaseball
— Tyler Wilson (윌슨) (@t_willy18) June 25, 2015
LOOK HOOS ON TOP! @UVABaseball NATIONAL CHAMPS! https://t.co/lOGvuj9eWu
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) June 25, 2015
Wahoowa. Congrats @UVABaseball @UVACoachOConnor @Kevin44McMullan @kirbdog88888 @Arico11Suave and Ks. #EarnedIt
— Jared King (@jerryk131) June 25, 2015
2 those deserving greatness always comes. So proud of these men who epitomize wht champions are. Wahoowah forever #NattyChamps @UVABaseball
— Nate Irving (@natebirving) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/BrandenKline16/status/613916248527794176
The Hoos are National Champions!! The curse has been broken #ACC @UVABaseball Guess the anchor wasn't down far enough…
— Michael Papi (@Hoos_urPapi) June 25, 2015
Wow
— Nick Howard (@Nick_Howard33) June 25, 2015
Wow
— Derek Fisher (@defish21) June 25, 2015
Speechless #gohoos
— Scott Silverstein (@silvertweet29) June 25, 2015
Unreal game. I can't believe it. So happy for @UVABaseball #nofreelunch #bethehunter #omaha #1186 #CHAMPIONS
— Michael Schwimer (@mschwimer) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/BDownes10/status/613917125028249600
.@UVABaseball is your national champs! So proud to say that I am a Virginia cavalier!! #wahoowa #ACC
— Phil Gosselin (@PGosselin15) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/McCarthyism_15/status/613918904109387777
9 years ago @UVACoachOConnor gave me a chance to be a walk on. I think about it everyday. So proud to be apart of that program.
— Will C (@WillC_45) June 25, 2015
So freakin proud to have played for a program like @UVABaseball!!! Congrats to all players and coaches, 2015 CWS champs!!
— Brandon Guyer – Major League Mindset (@BrandonGuyer) June 25, 2015
NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!! @UVABaseball Knew it would happen soon and no one is more deserving than this team. Such an amazing year! Go HOOS!!!!!
— Steven Proscia (@Prosh19) June 25, 2015
Happy guy right here. @UVABaseball @UVACoachOConnor #Champions #Hoos pic.twitter.com/3V3RefHjad
— Heather Zimmerman (@HeatherZiMS) June 25, 2015
THA CAAAVVVSSS ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!#NationalChamps! Welcome to the club @UVABaseball!!
— Eric Bird (@er1c_b1rd) June 25, 2015
Everyone doubted and counted you out. Take it all in fellas. Best feeling of all time right there! #HoosGotYourBack 💍
— Scott Thomsen (@scottythomsen) June 25, 2015
Welcome to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS club @UVABaseball WAHOOWAAAAAA
— Luca Corinteli (@Luca_Corinteli) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/613926931931607040
Congrats @UVABaseball way to fight for what is yours! So happy for our team abs University! #HoosWinning pic.twitter.com/mRFTdH9ubD
— Jus (@JusAnderson1) June 25, 2015
I'll say it again…The hoos never fail to impress! After the craziest possible school year, our hoos gave us the best ending
— Matt Johns (@CoachMJohns) June 25, 2015
— Jon Copper (@JonCopper) June 25, 2015
Congrats to @UVABaseball #NationalChamps #CWS2015
— Anthony “AntMan” Harris (@HOOSDatDude) June 25, 2015
Congrats to @UVABaseball 2015 national champions ⚾️⚾️ #Wahoowa
— Miles Gooch (@MGooch17) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/Jrainey_9/status/613916161403678720
https://twitter.com/hfaunt/status/613917076441313280
NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! Congrats to @UVABaseball on taking the College World Series championship title! GO HOOS! #CWS2015 pic.twitter.com/70j2WPDuN6
— Lauren Perdue Britt (@LoPerdue) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/Jack_English67/status/613915948362407936
https://twitter.com/bigpond60/status/613915956419670016
Lets go Hoos!
— Nate Collins (@BIGN98) June 25, 2015
Wow. If ever a year to be a proud hoo, this has been that year. #wahoowa #23
— Paddy Foss (@PaddyFoss) June 25, 2015
Pumped for @UVABaseball on the Natty Title, hellUVA comeback!
— Ben Kohles (@ben_kohles) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/marTEEniee17/status/613916655358361600
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! congrats @UVABaseball were all so proud of you!!!#GoHoos
— Brittany Ratcliffe (@brit_ratcliffe) June 25, 2015
— Danny aiken (@Danny_Aiken) June 25, 2015
We are the champions my friend! Congrats! #UVAbaseball #wahoo4life
— TC (@tcovmotivates) June 25, 2015
WAHOOWAH!!! So proud of @UVABaseball!! National Champions! 🏆🏆🏆
— Stephanie Garcia (@steph_steeples) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/kjasnalloyd/status/613921857469829120
HOOS WIN HOOS WIN!!! #NATTYCHAMPS
— Paige Selenski (@paigeselenski) June 25, 2015
@UVABaseball THE CHAMP IS HERE!!! #wahoowa
— Cory Alexander (@CoryAlexanderVA) June 25, 2015
Congratulations to @UVABaseball .. job well done .. #Wahoowa
— Olden Polynice (@OldenPolynice1) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/caseyfirth/status/613923862191996929
Congrats @UVABaseball What an incredible achievement! #Wahoowa #NationalChampions
— Tony Meola (@TMeola1) June 25, 2015
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/CoachBoland/status/613915996961775617
Welcome to the #NCAA title family @UVABaseball! #Wahoowa
— Virginia Men's Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) June 25, 2015
Huge congrats to the @UVABaseball team! Welcome to the family! #NattyC #nationalchamps #wahoowa
— Brett Hughes (@Brett_Hughes) June 25, 2015
Hoos National Champs? UVA Wahoos baby! What's good?😎😎
— Jason Williford (@CoachWillyUVA) June 25, 2015
Congrats to our baseball team and staff. Big shoutout to our pitching coach. AWESOME JOB.
— Ron Sanchez (@CoachSanchez49) June 25, 2015
Congrats @UVACoachOConnor @Kevin44McMullan @UVABaseball for one #HellUVA year,job well done fellas👏🏾🎉💯#NationalChamps#Wahoowa #Congrats
— Marques Hagans (@coachmhagans) June 25, 2015
Huge Congratulations to @UVABaseball in winning the College World Series! #GOHOOS
— Virginia Women's Soccer (@UVAWomenSoccer) June 25, 2015
The biggest congrats to @UVABaseball for bringing home the National Title to Charlottesville! An incredible effort! #omahoos
— Virginia Women's Tennis (@UVAWomensTennis) June 25, 2015
BIG CONGRATS to UVA baseball and coach O'Conner… Class act …. Team with heart!!!!❤️
— Joanne Boyle (@JoanneBoyle99) June 25, 2015
Way to go @UVABaseball!!! Congrats on bringing home yet another Natty for @VirginiaSports!
— Virginia Volleyball (@UVAVolleyball) June 25, 2015
Congrats to @UVACoachOConnor on winning the championship. Not surprised he oozes with professionalism n leadership.
— David Leitao (@CoachDLeitao) June 25, 2015
LOOK #Hoos THE @NCAACWS NATIONAL CHAMPS NOW??!!!! Congrats @UVABaseball !!! #earnedit 🎉⚾️🎉⚾️🎉⚾️@uvaswimdive #CWS2015
— Sam Busch (@Boss_Frog_H2O) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/coachfetz/status/613918083489509376
Way to go boys!!!! https://t.co/cZHXvJyLWp
— Virginia Rowing (@UVARowing) June 25, 2015
Congrats @UVABaseball @UVACoachOConnor and staff! #CWS Champs
— Mike London Sr. ⚔️ (@CoachMikeLondon) June 25, 2015
What a year: 2 NCAA titles and an ACC ring. Thanks @UVABaseball @UVAMenSoccer @UVAWrestling pic.twitter.com/qrSGV34gcu
— Andy Fledderjohann (@afledder) June 25, 2015
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) June 25, 2015
Virginia is greatest college on earth Baseball NATIONAL CHAMPS #WAHOOWA Charlottesville is becoming a Banner town 🏆🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/xrdnf7FPli
— Kyle J Guy (@kylejguy) June 25, 2015
WAHOOWA!!! I'm so proud to be an alum of a university that is so great in every aspect. GO HOOS GO!! #NATIONALCHAMPS
— Miranda Nodwell (@MirandaM_Sports) June 25, 2015
If anyone could close that game, Kirby could. #Hoos!!!
— Austin Courtney (@austcourtney) June 25, 2015
Still can't believe this guy won a National Champ tonight. Been a #UVA fan from day one. So proud of you @mddoughty2 pic.twitter.com/blRkMUYReW
— Allison Doughty (@aldoughty) June 25, 2015
The party continues for @UVABaseball ! Can't find words to say how happy we r for this team! #Nationalchamps pic.twitter.com/4Tne8S0GBG
— homerHoo (@homerHoo) June 25, 2015
Ecstatic for Nathan Kirby. Way to end a frustrating year on top and chase off the ghosts of game one 2014. Now go get paid.
— University Ball (@universityball) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/SeanBielawski/status/613917211602849792
So proud of UVA baseball team. Not just because of the national championship. But because of the perseverance to overcome all the challenges
— Mike Lewis 1🕊️15🕊️41 (@Mikeysurf) June 25, 2015
#UVA fans CAN have nice things!!
— Chad Felts (@Chad_Felts) June 25, 2015
GROUP HUG YOU GUYS #GOHOOS #UVA #NATIONALCHAMPIONS
— Nick West (@UVAnwest) June 25, 2015
Redemption is spelled K-I-R-B-Y!!!! #CWS #OmaHoos
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) June 25, 2015
That was the most incredible sports run I’ve ever seen.
— Phony Bennett (@IfTonyTweeted) June 25, 2015
Brandon @BWaddell20 was so good from the moment he stepped on campus and stepped up in so many big games. So glad Brandon goes out on top!
— Ryan Comes (@RBComes) June 25, 2015
Pumped for the hometown hoos. #collegeworldseries
— Christian Hackenberg (@chackenberg1) June 25, 2015
Congrats @UVABaseball and yay Hoos!!!! 👍👍👍👍⚾️⚾️⚾️😄😄😄 https://t.co/vibxntBiqe
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) June 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/BennyRoch/status/613919024515293185
https://twitter.com/ErinSweeney_/status/613916712895946752
@UVA @JerryRatcliffe UVA National Champions this years in Mens Tennis, Mens Soccer, and Baseball. The Triumvirate Championship!!!!!
— Cavalier Cards (@CavalierCards) June 25, 2015
UVA Men's soccer ✔️ UVA Men's tennis ✔️ UVA Men's baseball ✔️
— UVA Sports OTR (@uvasportsotr) June 25, 2015
An unforgettable experience reporting on @UVABaseball for this @NCAACWS finals. A masterful job by O'Connor. Proud to know you guys.
— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) June 25, 2015
“@NCAACWS: Congratulations Josh Sborz!!
2015 #CWS Most Outstanding Player pic.twitter.com/dodUbj9RLv”
— Tim McNeely (@T_Mac911) June 25, 2015
#UVAbaseball #KerrieOn #OPD pic.twitter.com/f5DoRU7Ap3
— Deputy Chief Ken Kanger (@OPDDCKanger) June 25, 2015
Follow The Sabre on Twitter for more retweets about the title!
wow, so awesome to see all these alumni and those connected with the University chime in!