March 27, 2004

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOMD, Va. - Junior right-hander Jason Bolinski threw his second career shutout in a 2-0 win against Saint Joseph's in both team's Atlantic 10 opener Saturday afternoon at Pitt Field.

Bolinski's shutout was aided by the return of senior center fielder Bryan Pritz whose sensational defense preserved a precarious two-run lead. Pritz robbed Hawk centerfielder Ryan Stadanlick of a game-tying, two-run homer in the sixth and then tracked down a line drive, making a basket catch in the seventh.

Pritz also collected one of Richmond's (12-9, 1-0 A-10) four hits with a bunt single while playing his first game since Feb. 22 because of a broken hand.

After two scoreless innings, the Spiders scratched home a run in the bottom of the third when Ben Zeskind hit a sacrifice fly to center that allowed John Cronin to score. Cronin had reached on an infield single to lead off the frame.

Richmond added an insurance run in the fifth. Zeskind led off with a walk and then scored when St. Joe's (4-21, 0-1 A-10) short stop Brian Schappert committed a throwing error on a Matt McKenna ground ball.

The Spiders threatened to open a larger lead throughout the game but left seven runners stranded.

Bolinski (2-0) struck out seven and walked one, facing only 25 batters in 7.0 innings. Hawk starter Adriano Petrutz (2-1) worked a six-inning complete game, allowing two runs, one earned, and striking out four. It marked the freshman's first complete game in his second start.