University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
James Madison
Baseball Captures Season-Opener Against James Madison, 7-4
02/15/2002 | Baseball
Feb. 15, 2002
CHARLESTON, S.C. - University of Richmond sophomore catcher Adam Tidball crushed a 430-foot grand slam home run to dead center field in the eighth inning that powered the Spiders to a 7-4 win against James Madison in their season-opener and the second game of the Charleston Crab House Shootout at Riley Park in Charleston, S.C.
Tidball stroked two hits in the game, as did junior Vito Chiaravalloti and sophomore Matt Craig. Richmond (1-0) sophomore Tim Stauffer earned the win on the mound, going 7.0 innings and allowing four runs while striking out three. Freshman Jason Bolinski pitched a perfect 2.0 innings to close the game and earn a save in his first collegiate game.
James Madison (1-1) took a 2-0 lead with a pair in the second. Second baseman Mitch Rigsby led off with a single to left field and moved to second on a Mike Butia single. After a sacrifice bunt put the runners in scoring position, Nathan Doyle and Brent Matheny drove home the runs.
The Spiders threatened in the fourth when sophomore Matt Craig tripled to begin the frame. JMU starter Chris Cochran then struck out the side to keep the game 2-0. A home run by Nathan Doyle put the Dukes in front 3-0 in the bottom of the inning.
Richmond freshman Jim Fasano laced a two-run homer over the right field wall in the sixth and cut the lead to 3-2. Craig, who had walked earlier in the inning, scored the Spiders' first run of the season.
After JMU increased its lead to 4-2 with a run in the sixth, the heart of Richmond's order came to the plate in the eighth and struck for five runs. Junior David Reaver led off the frame by drawing a walk. After a Chiaravalloti single and another walk from Fasano the bases were loaded. JMU brought in senior Brandon Cromwell to relieve Jared Doyle and on his first pitch, Tidball crushed a shot over the 30-foot high screen in center that gave the Spiders a 7-4 decision.
James Madison's offense by led by lead-off hitter Brent Matheny who went 2-5 with a run batted in. Seven other Dukes all collected one hit. Doyle suffered the loss after allowing four runs in one inning.
Richmond returns to action at 1:30 p.m. on February 16 against North Carolina State in its second game of the 2002 Charleston Crab House Shootout at Riley Park in Charleston, S.C.
