March 11, 2005

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Despite out-hitting the opposition, the Richmond baseball team fell for the second-straight day to VCU, 6-4, Friday at Pitt Field. The Spiders came from behind to take the lead in the first then gave up three runs in the sixth, proving to be enough for the Rams to pick up their seventh consecutive win. The loss drops Richmond to 5-6 and 0-2 in the series, while VCU improves to 10-3 on the season.

The Rams posted the first run of the game when Sergio Miranda doubled with one out then later scored on a wild pitch. Richmond's starter, freshman Stephen Owens, eventually got out of a bases-loaded jam allowing only Miranda to score.

The Spiders rallied to take their first lead of the game and series with three-straight one-out hits in the bottom half of the first. Junior Ben Zeskind doubled down the leftfield line and later scored on a single from junior Andrew Justice. After Justice advanced to third on two wild pitches, he crossed the plate when freshman Joe Mahoney singled through the left side.

Each team's starter settled down after the first inning. Owens moved through the Rams' order retiring 10 of the next 13 VCU hitters. He surrendered three hits in the span and stranded three. The Rams' Marcus Davis sit 12 of the next 13 Spiders down and did not allow another hit until a lead-off single by Mahoney in the fourth.

Owens battled into the sixth when he allowed a lead-off double by Scott Sizemore. A groundout moved the runner to third then a walk put runners at first and third with one out. A hot shot down the third base line from Pete Farina enable sophomore Matt McKenna to glove it and tag Sizemore, who had come off the bag on the hit. Trai Harris then came to the plate with two outs and runners at first and second and laced a two-run triple to straight-away center. The Spiders' centerfielder, Zeskind, had it tracked down, but made contact with the fence before getting a glove on it. After Richmond brought senior John Cronin on to pitch with two outs and a runner at third, an obstruction call was made allowing Harris to score the third run of the inning.

Third base umpire Tim O'Toole ruled McKenna made contact with Harris prior to him diving back to avoid the tag on a pick-off attempt. Cronin fanned the next hitter, but the Spiders trailed 4-2 going into the bottom of the sixth.

Cronin worked a quick seventh then gave up a lead-off single in the eighth. After hitting Alex Gary, Barrett Ripley laid down a sac-bunt attempt which was fielded by Cronin, but thrown wide of first allowing another Ram run to cross. With runners at second and third and not outs Farina flew out to right for the sacrifice to drive in the sixth run of the game for VCU.

Richmond mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth when it garnered back-to-back lead-off walks. After a pitching change for VCU, freshman pinch-hitter Drew Metzroth forced another walk to load the bases. Freshman Drew Poiter struck out giving way to freshman Alex Hale, who looped a two-run single over the Ram shortstop. Freshman Hank Coogan's drive to rightfield failed to find the grass and was caught to end the game, 6-4.

Owens suffered the loss, the first decision of his career, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in 5.2 innings. Davis picked up the win and moved to 2-0 by allowing two runs on five hits in 5.0 innings. VCU's final pitcher in the ninth, Cody Eppley recorded the save, his second of the season.

The Spiders and Rams now move the series to Petersburg, Va., for the final two games in the four-game set. Saturday's, March 12, first pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Sports Complex.

Game Notes
- The loss marks the first when Richmond outhits its opponent (3-1).
- The Spiders are now 3-2 in games following a loss.
- Richmond and the Rams are now tied in the all-time series, 33-33.
- VCU has now won the last four times it has faced Richmond at Pitt Field.