Feb. 26, 2006

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond baseball took a 1-0 lead in the third inning Sunday, but could not hold on as Delaware (2-1) scored nine runs over the final five innings to take the series finale, 9-1, at Pitt Field. Senior Derek Duclos, who looked impressive stranding five UD runners through four, took the loss and fell to 0-1. Richmond drops to 1-5 and will continue its early-season homestand Tuesday, Feb. 28, when it hosts VMI at 2 p.m.

Duclos, who was making his first start since April 5, 2005, gave up just two hits through his first four innings and stranded five Blue Hen runners. Meanwhile, Richmond's offense continued to shine garnering six hits in the first four innings. The Spiders got Duclos the lead in the third thanks to a wild pitch from Delaware's Todd Ozog. Sophomore Austin Reilly, senior Ben Zeskind and sophomore Hank Coogan led off the third frame with three-straight basehits. Senior Andrew Justice halted the streak with a strikeout, but during his at-bat the wild pitch allowed Reilly to score from third.

Richmond managed to keep the Blue Hens off the board until the fifth, when Duclos gave up three-straight base knocks including a two-run single from Dan Richardson. Delaware ended the inning by plating a total of three runs on five hits.

The Spiders' bats went silent over the final five innings managing just four hits, while UD posted multi-run innings in three of the final four.

Duclos suffered the loss after working 4.2 inning, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two. Delaware's Ozog, who made his first Division I start, picked up the win by going 5.0 innings and allowing one run on six hits and fanning five.

Richmond will be back in action Tuesday, Feb. 28, when it hosts VMI at 2 p.m. The following day the Spiders will hit the road to face William & Mary at Plumeri Park in Williamsburg, Va. First pitch against the Tribe is set for 3 p.m.

Game Notes:
-- Richmond's five errors were the most committed since making five miscues May 20, 2005 against Dayton.
-- Delaware's five stolen bases were the most allowed by the Spiders since George Washington swiped five May 27, 2005.
-- Senior Ben Zeskind recorded his second four-hit game of the season.
-- Sophomore Joe Mahoney snapped his streak of 62 consecutive starts.
-- Richmond has used six different batting orders in its six games this season.
-- Sophomores Ryan Metzroth and Joe White each made starts for the first time this season.
-- Sophomore Alex Hale went 2-for-2 in his two at-bats today after being inserted as a pinch hitter in the sixth. He also saw action at first base for the first time in his career.
-- The Spiders have now lost the last two regular season series to Delaware, 2-1.