April 28, 2003

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Senior Vito Chiaravalloti (Middletown, N.J.) blasted a two-run bomb, his 56th career home run, taking the career-home run record. Joining Chiaravalloti in rewriting the Richmond record book today, senior Andy Givens (Bel Air, Md.) notched his program-high 12th career save in the Spiders 8-3 win over the visiting Monarchs of Old Dominion.

This was the first time since March 16, 2001 that the Spiders (34-8, 14-3 Atlantic 10) beat an Old Dominion (14-28, 4-10 CAA) team. Richmond and the Monarchs split this year's series 1-1, with ODU taking the 4-3 10-inning win earlier in the season.

Old Dominion started the game with a two-out solo shot over left field by shortstop Allen Strick. Richmond answered with a run of its own half of the frame. Shortstop David Reaver (Union Bridge, Md.) ripped a double into right field. First baseman Jim Fasano (Horsham, Pa.) stroked an RBI single to send Reaver home, knotting the score at 1-1.

In the bottom of the third, the Spiders took a 4-1 lead which they would not give up. Reaver drew a walk and then the Monarch pitcher hit Ben Zeskind (Miami, Fla.), placing runners on first and second. Fasano hit a ground out, advancing Reaver and Zeskind a base. Chiaravalloti followed with a two-RBI single to take a 3-1 lead. Leftfielder Michael Galligan (Woodbury, N.Y.) belted his second double to send Chiaravalloti across home from first.

The Monarchs added two runs in the fifth and sixth on two Spider errors to cut the lead to 4-3. Richmond did not rest though, responding with two runs in the sixth. Chiaravalloti and Galligan drew leadoff walks before advancing on a sacrifice bunt to second and third. Chiaravalloti then touched home on a Bobby LeNoir (Wilmington, Del.) sacrifice fly. Centerfielder Bryan Pritz (Wilmette, Ill.) stroked an RBI single to score Galligan for a 6-3 lead.

In the seventh, Fasano drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a balk. Chiaravalloti then launched his career-setting two-run homer into the depths of right centerfield. The rightfielder broke Mike Dwyer's record of 55 from 1996-99.

Givens threw 3.0 innings in relief to earn his second save of the season and 12th career save. The senior righty allowed one hit while striking out three. Givens broke the Richmond career save record of 11 previously held by Andy Szarko (1990-93). Sophomore righty Derek Duclos (Exton, Pa.) started for the Spiders, fanning five Monarchs in 6.0 innings for the win. Duclos (2-0) allowed five hits and one earned run. Old Dominion's Jason Godin (1-3) took the loss after 5.2 innings on the mound.

Richmond travels to Lynchburg, Va. tomorrow for a 3 p.m. contest against the Liberty Flames.