University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Duquesne
No. 13 Baseball Slugs Past Duquesne, 13-4
05/11/2003 | Baseball
May 11, 2003
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Designated hitter Chris Dolan (Holmdel, N.J.) ripped a two-run homer in the final regular-season Atlantic 10 series to lead the Spiders to a 13-4 win over Duquesne. Richmond took the series 2-1 after splitting the doubleheader yesterday, Saturday, May 10. The Spiders stroked 14 hits in the outing, improving to 42-11, 19-4 A-10, while Duquesne falls to 25-27, 15-9 A-10.
The Spiders have not lost an A-10 series in two years and clinched this year's number one seed in the A-10 tournament. Richmond will play the winner of Duquesne vs. Xavier on Friday, May 16 at 12:30 p.m. in Norwich, Conn.
Richmond took a 1-0 lead in the third after threatening with scoring opportunities in the first and second. Senior shortstop David Reaver (Union Bridge, Md.) worked a leadoff walk. Third baseman Ben Zeskind (Miami, Fla.) then stroked a single to right field to send Reaver to third. The Spider shortstop then touched home on a Jim Fasano (Horsham, Pa.) sacrifice fly.
In the fourth, Richmond added two runs to its lead, 3-0. Senior leftfielder Chris Dolan (Holmdel, N.J.) then cleared the bases with a two-run shot over the left field fence.
The Spiders continued to add to the tally, scoring another run in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. Zeskind belted a double into the centerfield fence at the 410-yard marker. Fasano followed with a single to right field and advanced Zeskind to third. The third baseman then crossed home when Vito Chiaravalloti (Middletown, N.J.) hit into a double play.
Duquesne responded in the fifth and sixth, scoring a run in each frame for a 4-2 score.
Richmond exploded in the seventh for seven runs. Reaver started things off, reaching on an error by Dukes' second baseman Steve Maiolo. Zeskind drew a walk to advance Reaver to second before Fasano loaded the bases on bunt single. Chiaravalloti stroked a single down the left field line to score Reaver and Zeskind. Galligan drew a walk to re-load the bases. Dolan then knocked an infield single to send Fasano home. Catcher Adam Tidball (Bethesda, Md.) continued the scoring, stroking a RBI single to centerfield to score Chiaravalloti. Second baseman Bobby LeNoir (Wilmington, Del.) advanced the runners, sending Galligan home after reaching on an error by the Dukes' shortstop. Dolan crossed home plate on a single by Reaver for the sixth run of the inning. Tidball finished the scoring, touching home on a Zeskind sacrifice fly for an 11-2 lead.
The Dukes did not rest, responding again with two runs in their half of the frame on back-to-back doubles.
In the ninth, Centerfielder Bryan Pritz (Wilmette, Ill.) and Reaver stroked back-to-back singles before Zeskind loaded the bases on a walk. Fasano then worked a walk to send Pritz home. Reaver crossed the plate on a Chiaravalloti fielder's choice to take a 13-4 lead.
Southpaw Tim Rice (Brookfield, Conn.) started for the Spiders, tossing 6.0 innings. Rice (5-2) allowed five hits and three earned runs, while striking out two batters. Senior Andy Givens (Bel Air, Md.) and sophomore John Cronin (Branford, Conn.) combined in the final 3.0 innings for a no-hitter. Duquesne's Jesse Cramer (1-5) took the loss after throwing 5.0 innings and giving up four runs.
The Spiders close out the regular-season tomorrow, Monday, May 12 at William and Mary. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.
