March 7, 2008

Richmond Spiders (4-6-1) vs. Princeton Tigers (3-1)

Saturday, March 8, 2008 • Noon (DH)
Pitt Field • University of Richmond, Va.

Game 1: Gametracker | Watch Live
Game 2: Gametracker | Watch Live

Short Hops:
• Richmond will play its 13th game in 17 days today, hosting Princeton in a doubleheader at Pitt Field. Since opening the season Feb. 22 in Jacksonville, the Spiders have had consecutive days off just once -- this past Thursday and Friday leading into the Princeton series.

• Richmond, a preseason No. 2 selection in the Atlantic 10, finished third in the conference last season with a 32-28 record overall (12-9 in A-10 play). Charlotte, which won both the regular-season and tournament titles last year, was picked to repeat in 2008.

• The Spiders are coming off a 13-8 home win over George Mason Wednesday to snap a three-game skid. After missing all last season with an injury, redshirt junior Stephen Owens picked up his first win on the mound since late in 2005 and freshman Billy Barber (pictured) belted his first collegiate home run.

• Princeton has not played since taking three of four from Delaware last weekend in Newark, Del. to open its season. Jack Murphy hit four home runs in the series, while Steven Miller and Matt Welsh each pitched gems for the Tigers, who won the Ivy League and reached the NCAA Regionals in 2006.

• For the first time this season, the Spiders were able to generate early offense and give itself a cushion in Wednesday's win over Mason. The Spiders scored twice in the first, four times in the third and six times in the fourth to expand its lead to 12-3. Although allowing a first-inning run in seven of its 11 games this season, the Spiders have played two straight games without doing so.

• Richmond has emerged as a dangerous late-inning team this season, outscoring the opposition 35-19 in the final four innings, including a 1-0 margin in the 10th and a decisive 13-1 advantage in the ninth. But instead of building on leads, Richmond has used those runs to mount dramatic comebacks. The Spiders have allowed at least one first-inning run in seven of its 11 games this season and are being out-scored 19-5 in the first frame.

• Free live video streaming and Gametracker are available for every Spider home game by visiting RichmondSpiders.com.