Branden Kline's first start in two college seasons will come in Virginia's opener on Friday.

On Wednesday, head coach Brian O'Connor said Kline will be the Cavaliers' Opening Day starter, when they face Boston College in the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Myrtle Beach.

"Branden Kline has the most experience on our pitching staff; pitching in a variety of different roles in his first two years," O'Connor said. "He's been a starter for us. But he was also the team's closer last year, and pitched in a lot of big ballgames. So the fact that it's the first game, Branden Kline won't be in awe of that. He'll just go out there and compete, and give us the best that he has."

Kline is 9-2 in two seasons at UVa, with 21 career saves and a 2.93 ERA. After making eight starts his freshman year, all 32 of his appearances last season came out of the bullpen, and Kline matched the school record with 18 saves.

Kline's last start came in an 11-0 loss to Oklahoma in Game 3 of the 2010 Super Regionals. He took his first college loss, after giving up four runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of work.

This winter, Kline has been named a preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (First Team), Louisville Slugger (Second Team), and most recently Baseball America (Third Team).