Feb. 21, 2003

Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Junior centerfielder Bryan Pritz (Wilmette, Ill.) doubled home the game-tying run and scored the eventual winning run on an error as the ninth-ranked Spiders rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to defeat Drexel, 10-8, at the Charleston Crab House Challenge. The game marked Richmond's season opener.

The Spiders (1-0) and Dragons (0-4) battled throughout the afternoon. In the top of the second, senior Vito Chiaravalloti (Middletown, N.J.) blasted his first home run of the season, clearing the left field fence to tie Drexel's one run from the bottom of the first. Senior Michael Galligan (Woodbury, N.Y.) added a three-run blast, with sophomore Jim Fasano (Horsham, Pa.) and junior designated hitter Chris Dolan (Ellicott City, Md.) scoring ahead of him.

Drexel answered the Spiders scoring explosion, taking a two-run lead in the bottom of the second with a five-run outburst of Richmond ace Tim Stauffer (Saratoga Springs, NY). Jason Bailey, John Tredinnick, Steve Johnson, and Kyle Martin had consecutive base hits for the Dragons.

The Dragons would add another run in the bottom of the fourth following an error by shortstop David Reaver (Union Bridge, Md.). In the top of the seventh, the Spiders cut the Dragons lead to one with runs by Dolan and senior left fielder Galligan.

Chiaravalloti tallied his second run of the afternoon in the top of the eighth to cut Drexel's lead to one after Mike Dove scored in the bottom seventh.

Junior right-handed pitcher Matt McLoughlin (San Diego, Calif.) earned his first win, with Drexel's Brett Hraban (0-1) taking the loss.

Stauffer, the Spiders All-American righthander, allowed five earned runs on nine hits in five innings. He struck out eight while walking just one.

Richmond returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 22 at 1:30 p.m. against North Carolina State in the second game of the Charleston Crab House Challenge hosted by The Citadel.