Doolittle welcomes closer role with Nationals

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle, left, celebrates with catcher Matt Wieters after Game 2 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, at Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-3. (AP Photo/Alex ...WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sean Doolittle arrived at the University of Virginia late in the summer of 2004 from New Jersey, where he had led Shawnee High to the state title as a pitcher and first baseman.

One of the first teammates he met at Virginia was Ryan Zimmerman, two years ahead of Doolittle and a junior on the 2005 squad.

“He was on a different level than anyone else,” said Doolittle, 31, standing at his locker…