On Sunday, the Miami Hurricanes capped an emotional, three-game baseball series at Florida State with their second of three weekend victories.
On Monday, they learned they were the nation's consensus No. 1 team.
On Wednesday, they lost their fifth game of the season, to neighboring Florida International, a team that has more than twice as many losses as victories.
The past several days have been a whirlwind for the Hurricanes. But beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, the Hurricanes (33-5, 17-2) hope to settle down against another talented Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
The No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers (32-12, 13-8) come to Mark Light Field for a three-game set that continues at 7 p.m. Saturday and concludes with a Sunday finale at noon.
Virginia is third in the Coastal Division of the ACC, two spots behind Miami and one behind second-ranked North Carolina (36-7, 16-4).
''I'm sure they were a little discouraged with losing against FIU, just like I was,'' UM coach Jim Morris said of his team. ``We didn't play badly, FIU just played better. We're looking forward to getting back into conference play. I don't think one game is going to destroy their confidence.''
Morris said the most telling aspect of his team's season has been the success of batters ``one through nine in the lineup.
''We've had some big game-winning hits. Players are coming through and our defense is as good as it has ever been since I've been at Miami,'' he said. ``Our pitching has been good.
``We just have to make sure our bullpen continues to do what it did the first three quarters of the season.''
Freshman left-hander Chris Hernandez (6-0, 3.16 ERA) will start Friday for the Hurricanes. The Cavaliers will go with senior left-hander Pat McAnaney (4-1, 2.17).
Morris has moved Eric Erickson (6-0, 3.28), also a left-hander, to Saturday's starting spot. Enrique Garcia (2-1, 6.18) will start Sunday.
Erickson missed nearly a month because of a sore forearm, and returned to the lineup to pitch the first four innings of Sunday's game.
''It felt like it was my first time pitching,'' said Erickson, who earned the victory but gave up three solo home runs, something he said he had never done.
''No way. Never,'' he said. ``I lost touch on my changeup and I was really only throwing a fastball and curveball. My fastball is fine. It will take me a little while to get the hang of it again.
``I'm just glad we ended up winning on Sunday. That was a big deal going over there and doing what we did.''
Hurricanes shortstop Ryan Jackson, who is batting .377, third-best on the team, said he has put the loss to FIU behind him.
''We expect to win every game,'' Jackson said. ``Last weekend's series was big for us. There was a lot of emotion and a lot of energy was released by both teams. But that's baseball. You have to regroup and get ready for the next game.''
