Feb. 27, 2008

Box Score | Highlights

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond baseball team scored three ninth-inning runs to tie the game, then got an RBI single from Hank Coogan with two outs in the bottom of the 10th to cap a 7-6 come-from-behind win over Longwood Wednesday at Pitt Field. Evan Stehle's two-run single in the ninth was the equalizer for the Spiders, who snapped a three-game skid.

Richmond (2-3) was down to its final strike in the bottom of the 10th when Austin Reilly checked his swing on a 1-2 pitch in the dirt. The senior was hit by the next pitch, keeping the inning alive for Coogan who roped a single to left, scoring Victor Croglio from second. Croglio pinch ran for freshman Billy Barber, who laced a double for his first collegiate hit.

"That was a huge win for this ball club," said head coach Mark McQueen. "Now we just need to build on this. I told the guys we played well in Florida and didn't back down. We did the same today and it paid off."

Again, the Spiders dug themselves a hole, trailing 6-1 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning before the bats finally awoke. In two of the Spiders' three losses this season (Jacksonville and UW-Milwaukee) Richmond brought the tying runs to the plate late in each game but couldn't generate the equalizer.

Wednesday, Richmond completed its comeback bid, but not without a solid outing from sophomore starting pitcher Matt Trent. The right-hander went five innings, struck out a career-high eight Lancers and allowed just two hits and two unearned runs.

"I thought Matt had one of the best starts of his career," said McQueen. "He did a great job of keeping them off-balance and kept the game close for us."

Trailing 2-1, Trent gave way to Ian Marshall in the sixth and the junior was tagged with four runs on six hits in 2.2 innings. Longwood (2-3) seemingly blew the game open with a three-run homer by Nick vonGersdorff in the top of the eighth.

But Richmond answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Cameron Brown was plunked as the lead off batter, ending starter John Farrell's day after 7.0 innings. Farrell fanned four, allowing two runs and scattering five hits.

Reliever Isaac Weiderman was pulled after consecutive walks to Ryan Metzroth and Andrew Lowry. Rob Moody entered and rolled a pair of ground outs to Joe White and Billy Falasco, but runs scored on each and the Spiders cut the deficit to 6-3.

Keeping the pressure on in the bottom of ninth, Brown made it a 6-4 game with the third of three straight singles to score Reilly. With two outs, Stehle cleared the bases and tied the game with a single to right field off Chris Briere.

Alex Hale pitched a scoreless final 2.1 innings with one hit and four Ks for the Spiders. The senior improved to 2-0 and has yet to allow a run in 6.1 innings of action this season - all out of the bullpen.

Jonathan Watson pitched the 10th for Longwood and was tagged with the loss.

Coogan and Reilly each collected three of Richmond's 11 hits.

Richmond continues its homestand this weekend by hosting Bucknell and Seton Hall at Pitt Field. The Bison are in town Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., with the Pirates playing a double-dip at Pitt beginning at noon.