Pitcher talks dogs, Dippin’ Dots after win

UVA closer Stephen Schoch turned in a memorable performance on the mound this week, striking out five Old Dominion batters in a crucial postseason win for the Cavs. But Schoch’s postgame press conference was even more entertaining than his pitching.

“Does anything make you nervous?” the interviewer asked. “Caves, mainly,” said Schoch, looking around the field. “Nothing really. I don’t see any caves out here.”

“I heard a fan offer free Dippin’ Dots if I blew it,” Schoch continued. Citing the high price of Dippin’ Dots, Schoch said he thought for a second about throwing the game, but quickly decided that picking up a win would be more valuable.

“This is just a game. There’s gonna be way harder things in life,” the sixth-year pitcher concluded. “I think I’m a cool guy. My dogs think I’m awesome. My teammates like me, and my friends like me. So I’m going to go out and attack and win.”

At press time, UVA was in the midst of a rain-delayed contest against Old Dominion. A win would send the Hoos to a Super Regional, the next phase of postseason play.

City reserves $4 million more for Belmont Bridge

On Monday, City Council appropriated an additional $4,280,739 for the replacement of the Belmont Bridge, pushing the project’s total cost north of $35 million. Last August, council approved a budget of $15.3 million for the long-awaited revitalization of the bridge, but rising materials and labor costs, coupled with a shortage of contractors, caused the price to spike.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has identified about $4.3 million in state funds from State of Good Repair, which provides money for “structurally deficient” bridges, to help cover the price hike from the previous budget. Federal and state funding will pay for the majority of the bridge’s replacement cost, with the city paying around $13 million.

According to the Belmont Bridge website, the current bridge is in significant disrepair, scoring 40 out of 100 in condition ratings.

An updated schedule on the website says construction will take place between 2021 and 2023. When the bridge is completed, locals can look forward to protected, 10-foot-wide bike lanes, a protected pedestrian lane, a new pedestrian underpass under Ninth Street, and opportunities for public art installations.

“It seems like every shot he shoots is going in.”
NBA superstar Blake Griffin, talking about his teammate, UVA alum Joe Harris, who is averaging 14 points per game in the playoffs for the Brooklyn Nets.

In brief

Garage nixed

City Council passed a resolution formally halting the construction of a proposed 300-spot parking garage on Seventh and Market streets. Council first initiated the project in 2019, but after significant community feedback, and a work session last week, it declared the city is no longer interested. For more info, check out last week’s C-VILLE story.

Mueller on Mueller

Robert Mueller will help teach a class on The Mueller Report at UVA law school this fall. Mueller’s famous investigation into then-President Donald Trump found several examples of Russia interfering with the 2016 presidential election, but ultimately the special counsel did not charge the former commander-in-chief or his associates with a crime. Students hoping that Mueller assesses their papers with similar leniency should know that he only plans to appear during one of the course’s six meetings.

W&L keeps its Confederate name

Washington and Lee University will remain Washington and Lee University, as the school’s board of trustees voted 22-6 to keep Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s name atop the university’s brand. The school then released a statement saying, “Our goal is to build a more diverse community [and] enhance inclusion for everyone at W&L.” Yeah. Good luck with that.

Democracy donation

UVA received a $50 million check to kick-start a new institute for the “study, teaching and promotion of democracy,” the university announced this week. Megadonors Martha and Bruce Karsh, who made their fortune through “global asset management” and who are part-owners of the Golden State Warriors, are the namesakes of the project, which will include the construction of a new building on Emmet Street.

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