Feb. 19, 2006

Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A two-out single in the 12th inning ended the Spiders hopes of knocking off Nebraska Sunday in Charleston, S.C. Richmond (0-3) fell 5-4 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Riley Park in its final game of Homewood Suites Shootout at Riley Park. The Spiders had rallied with four runs in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead, but later gave up a two-run game-tying homer in the ninth to send it into extra-innings. Nebraska moves to 3-1 on the season with the come-from-behind win.

Junior Rob Berzinskas worked 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball before Nebraska's Jeff Christy got the Huskers on the board with a solo homerun to left. With two outs in the fourth, NU's Andy Gerch made it a 2-0 ballgame with another homer to left off the junior righthander. Berzinskas ended his outing by surrendering only those two runs on four hits and three walks. The Clinton, Conn., native worked six complete and struckout three, but did not figure in the decision.

The Cornhuskers' starter, freshman righty Charlie Shirek worked out of jams through the sixth stranding seven Richmond baserunners on just four hits. Richmond made its move in the seventh when freshman Victor Croglio led off the inning with his first career hit. Junior Anthony Sandstrom followed with his first hit of the season to give the Spiders runners at first and second with no outs. A groundout by junior Alex Wotring moved the runners up one base, then senior Ben Zeskind came through to tie the game with a two-run double to left. After a popout, junior Matt McKenna gave the Spiders their first lead of the season with an RBI-single to left.

Senior Ja Jones came on in relief after Richmond took the lead, and proceeded to retire seven of the next eight he faced into the ninth. With one out and a runner on first Jones gave up Nebraska's third homer of the game, a two-run game-tying shot to left.

Both team had opportunities over the next two extra innings. Richmond loaded the bases with one out in the 10th, but freshman Cameron Brown grounded into an inning-ending double-play. Nebraska had runners at first and third with two outs in the 10th, but ended the inning with a lineout.

Sophomore Brian Alas came on in the 10th and allowed two hits over 2.2 innings. After striking out two in the 12th, Nebraska's Nick Jaros singled up the middle, giving Ryan Wehrle the opportunity to score from second and end the game.

Husker reliever Brett Jensen picked up the win by working four complete, shutting out the Spiders on two hits and one walk while striking out three.

The Spiders return to Pitt Field for their home-opening series against Delaware next weekend, Feb. 24-26. Friday's first pitch against the Blue Hens is set for 2:30 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's action will get underway at 1 p.m.

Game Notes:
-- Senior Ben Zeskind tied a career-high with four hits in the contest. The last time Zeskind recorded four base knocks in a game was April 17, 2005 against George Washington.
-- Sophomore Joe Mahoney extended a hit streak to three games.
-- Junior Rob Berzinskas' three punchouts moved him into 10th on the Spiders' all-time career strikeout list with 171.
-- Junior Matt McKenna's first hit of the season also marked the Spiders' first go-ahead RBI of the season.
-- Freshman Victor Croglio logged the first basehit of his career, while junior Anthony Sandstrom recorded his first hit of the season.
-- Today's game marked the first time Richmond played 12+ innings since May 25, 2005 (vs. Fordham -- 14 innings).