University of Richmond Athletics
Baseball Ranked No. 25 by Baseball America
03/18/2002 | Baseball
March 18, 2002
Game Notes for George Mason/Radford in PDF Format
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UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond baseball team was selected No. 25 in the March 18 Baseball America college rankings after beginning the 2002 season with a 15-2 record.
The Spiders won their first 10 games of the 2002 campaign, matching the 1947 squad for the best all-time start. Richmond followed its first loss with a five-game win streak to set a new mark for best all-time record with one loss (15-1).
Included in its impressive start, are three wins against ACC-power North Carolina State, as well as wins against James Madison, The Citadel and Virginia Commonwealth. This past week, Richmond posted mid-week wins against William & Mary, 7-4, on March 13 and Virginia Tech, 14-5, on March 14. The Spiders split a doubleheader with Penn State -- 4-3, 2-7 - on March 16.
Richmond's pitching staff has compiled an amazing 2.77 ERA in the first 17 games. The Spiders have allowed just 45 earned runs in 146.0 innings. Leading the way is sophomore Tim Stauffer who is 6-0 with a team-best 1.41 ERA. He has thrown four complete games and has struck out 42 in 51.0 innings. The Saratoga Springs, N.Y. native earned Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week on April 11.
The Spider offense has stroked 65 extra-base hits in 17 games. Leading the way are junior Vito Chiaravalloti and sophomore Matt Craig. Chiaravalloti is hitting .403 with a team-high four home runs. The reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, Chiaravalloti is riding a career-long 15-game hit streak. Craig ranks second on the team with a .349 batting average. He leads the squad with 21 RBI and eight multiple-hit games.
Richmond returns to action at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 when it hosts George Mason at Pitt Field. The Spiders will host Radford at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20.
