Virginia’s Griff O’Ferrall has started 184 consecutive games at shortstop. ~ Photo by Kris Wright/TheSabre.com

Moments after the Virginia baseball team punched its ticket to Omaha for the seventh time in program history, amidst the celebration a kid ran up the hill along the left field line with a baseball signed by shortstop Griff O’Ferrall. Not too long ago the Richmond native was the one reaching out over the fence looking for an autograph.

“It’s not something I take for granted because growing up I was one of those kids down the line screaming for balls and asking for signatures,” O’Ferrall said after the Hoos’ win over Kansas State clinched their spot in the College World Series.

A lifelong UVA fan, O’Ferrall almost never saw his dreams of playing at Disharoon Park come to fruition. He had opportunities from James Madison, Old Dominion, and Virginia Commonwealth on the table before a late offer from the Cavaliers. Just a few weeks before he was ready to make a commitment, however, Virginia saw him in a summer ball All-Star event and an offer soon followed. He quickly accepted, becoming the last member of that recruiting class.

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