Feb. 18, 2006

Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Richmond's four-run sixth cut an NC State lead to 6-5, but was not enough as the Spider baseball squad fell, 12-5, to the 21st-ranked Wolfpack Saturday, Feb. 18, at Riley Park in Charleston, S.C. Richmond is now 0-2 on the season, while NC State improved to 7-1 overall with the win.

Senior Jason Bolinski, who made his first start since the end of the 2004 season, gave up two runs in the first on a two-out double by Jon Still. The Spiders answered with a run in their half of the first when senior Ben Zeskind tripled to centerfield and later scored on a groundout by sophomore Joe Mahoney.

NC State pushed three across in the third off Bolinski, who got the loss in his four-inning start by allowing five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out one.

Senior Derek Duclos replaced Bolinski in the fifth and was welcomed to the game with a homerun by NC State's Brian Aragon. The Wolfpack finished the day with a total of four homers, two by Matt Mangini.

Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Richmond mounted a rally to pull within one. Mahoney, who finished the day 2-for-4 with a run and RBI, led-off the inning with a single up the middle. NC State starter Jason Duncan, followed Mahoney by issuing a walk to junior Matt McKenna before being pulled for Adam McLaurin. After a sac-bunt by sophomore Alex Hale moved the runners to second and third, senior Andrew Justice singled to left driving in both runs. Freshman Cameron Brown, who ended his day going 3-for-3 with a run and RBI, followed Justice with an RBI-double to left then moved to third on the throw home. Freshman Victor Croglio didn't let the rally die by grounding out to the right side, and allowing Brown to score from third.

The excitement didn't last long when NC State scored three in the seventh to extend the lead then added three more over the final two innings. Richmond could not manage a hit off three Wolfpack relievers over the last three innings.

The Spiders wrap up Homewood Suites Shootout action tomorrow, Feb. 19, when they face Nebraska at 11 a.m. in the fifth game of the tournament in Charleston, S.C. Junior Rob Berzinskas will go for the Spiders, who try to avoid the weekend sweep.

Game Notes:
-- Freshman Cameron Brown finished the day 3-for-3, after garnering his first career hit in the second inning. His three-hit day is the most single-game hits for the Spiders since sophomore Joe White (3-for-5) and junior Matt McKenna (3-for-4) recorded three against Duquesne, May 16, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
-- Sophomore Joe Mahoney has logged multiple hits in each of the first two contests this season.
-- Freshman Kyle Leith saw the first collegiate action of his career, and stranded all three inherited runners in the top of the ninth.
-- Senior Jason Bolinski, who missed last season after undergoing bone-spur surgery prior to the 2005 season, made his first start since May 29, 2004.
-- Richmond head coach Ron Atkins is now 5-18 against NC State in his career and the Spiders are now 8-26 all-time against the Wolfpack.
-- The Spiders are now 1-1 when facing NC State in Charleston, S.C.