University of Richmond Athletics
Baseball Begins Home Schedule
03/01/2004 | Baseball
March 1, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond baseball team makes its 2004 Pitt Field debut on Tuesday, March 2 when they face the University of Virginia at 2:30 p.m. The Spiders remain at home to host Virginia Military Institute on Wednesday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast on ESPN radio 950 and on their website www.wxgi.com
Richmond continues two 100 year-old rivalries this week, in Virginia and VMI. The Cavaliers defeated the Spiders, 9-4, in their first meeting back in 1897 and in their most recent match-up, in 2003, 11-4. UVA owns the all-time series 66-56-2. Left-hander Tim Rice (Brookfield, Conn.) is Tuesday's probable starter. Rice has made one appearance so far this season and posts a 0-0 record.
This year marks the 110th anniversary of the Richmond/VMI series. The Spiders rolled over the Keydets in the first contest of the series, 11-3 and they slid by them once again, 9-8, in 2003. The two teams began the rivalry in 1894 and Richmond claims the series lead, 99-31. Something that is new to this series is freshman Matt Francavillo (Endwell, N.Y.) will make his first college start, on the mound, when the Spiders face the Keydets, this Wednesday.
GAME NOTES
Shut Down Junior Derek Duclos and senior Matt McLoughlin combined for a no-hitter, Sunday, February 29 and led the Spiders to a 2-0 victory against Coastal Carolina. It is Richmond's first no-hitter since Ed Ketchie's in 1957.
There's a First Time For Everything Two Spider student-athletes recorded their first homeruns in a Richmond uniform this past weekend. Sophomore Andrew Justice stroked a two-run homer on Saturday afternoon against Ohio State. Freshman Josh Farkes crushed the game-winning, three-run dinger over the left field wall against Kent State on Sunday.
Weekly Honors Derek Duclos was named this week's Pitcher of the Week by both Collegiate Baseball and the Atlantic 10 conference. It is the first honor of the season for the right-hander.
On Deck The Spiders remain at home and play host to Quinnipiac this weekend, March 6-7. Saturday is a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. and Sunday the first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
