Godbout hits a 3-run HR as Virginia beats Penn 4-2 to open NCAA baseball tournament

Updated May. 31, 2024 3:00 p.m. ET

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Henry Godbout hit a three-run home run, Joe Savino struck out eight over 5 2/3 innings and host Virginia opened the NCAA Division I baseball tournament with a 4-2 victory over Ivy League champion Pennsylvania on Friday.

Godbout went deep in the second for his eighth homer of the season, driving in Henry Ford and Harrison Didawick. Ethan Anderson extended his career- and team-best on-base streak to 29 games with an RBI double in the seventh.

Savino, making the eighth start of his season that was delayed by injury, gave up a pair of runs on RBI singles by the Quakers' Davis Baker and Nick Spaventa in the fourth. Those were two of the three hits he allowed while issuing just one walk and picking up the win.

Chase Hungate needed just 33 pitches — 25 of them strikes — to finish the final 3 1/3 innings of the game, allowing one hit and no runs. The Cavs' Eric Becker walked twice to extend his on-base streak to 26 games.

Penn starter Cole Zaffiro allowed three earned runs on four hits in six innings, in which he struck out four and walked four. Eli Trop allowed Anderson's run-scoring double in relief.

Virginia, the 12th overall seed in the tournament, on Saturday faces the winner of Mississippi State versus St. John's. Penn plays the loser in an elimination game.

The Cavaliers are making their 21st NCAA Tournament appearance, including 18 since coach Brian O'Connor took over in 2004. Penn is in for a second consecutive season — the first back-to-back appearances for the school since three trips in a row from 1988-90.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

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