University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
William and Mary
Spiders Continue Streak With Win Against William & Mary, 4-0
03/30/2005 | Baseball
March 30, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Spider baseball team recorded its second shutout in four games Wednesday afternoon at Pitt Field, topping William & Mary, 4-0, in front of a season-high 462 fans. The win, the Spiders' fourth-straight, helps improve their record to 13-10 overall. The Tribe dropped to 14-12 with the loss.
Richmond's defense shined in the first inning helping freshman starter Brian Alas get out of a bases-loaded jam. The Port Washington, N.Y., native walked the bases loaded with one out, but got two groundballs to keep William & Mary off the board. The Spiders defense has now committed only four errors in the last four games, including three games in which Richmond has not committed an error.
Alas settled in over his next four innings of work to allow two hits and strike out one. The Tribe's Jeff Dagenhart looked untouchable in the first two, sitting Richmond down in order heading to the third.
The bottom third of the Spiders' lineup were not baffled by William & Mary's starter, beginning in the bottom half of the third with a base hit from freshman Hank Coogan. Freshman Austin Reilly reached on an error while trying to sacrifice Coogan to second. Sophomore Anthony Sandstrom attempted another sac-bunt, and was successful, pushing runners to second and third with just one out. Freshman Joe White used the opportunity to drive in the go-ahead run with a single to right field. Junior Ben Zeskind followed with a two-run double to right, then later came across on a double from freshman Joe Mahoney to make the score 4-0.
Both teams failed to do much after the four-run third. Junior Andrew Justice doubled in the fifth, but was stranded at second. In the eighth, Zeskind walked to lead off the inning then moved to second on a single from Justice. He advanced to third on a groundball double-play, but failed to score when sophomore Vince Riggi struck out to end the inning.
The Tribe left runners on in six of the next seven including the third and ninth innings when they had a runner at third with two outs.
The Spiders sent three relievers to the hill after Alas, who garnered his league-best fifth win (5-2). Junior Derek Duclos worked two no-hit innings and struck out one. Freshman Alex Hale struck out two and walked one in his inning of work during the eighth. Senior John Cronin ended the game for Richmond by allowing a hit and a walk, while striking out one.
The Spiders return to Pitt Field Saturday, April 2, when they host defending Atlantic 10 Champion St. Bonaventure in the first of a three-game series. The two teams will play a noon doubleheader Saturday, then wrap up the series with a single game Sunday, April 3, at noon. Bob Black and former Spider pitcher Jim Merritt will call Saturday's first game on ESPN Radio 950 and on the web at www.ESPN950am.com.
Game Notes
- The Spiders recorded their second shutout in the last four games today by blanking the Tribe of William & Mary, 4-0.
- Richmond's hurlers have allowed only one earned run over the last 35 innings of play.
- The Spiders' defense has committed just four errors in the last four games including three contests without an error.
- Junior Ben Zeskind extended his season-long hit streak to 10 games with a two-run double in the third.
- Freshman Brian Alas, who picked up the win today, now has a league leading five victories (5-2) on the season.
- The win extended the Spiders' season best win streak to four games and snapped a two-game skid in the all-time series with William & Mary.
