University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Radford
McKenna Powers Spider Baseball Past Radford On Senior Day, 8-6
05/10/2005 | Baseball
May 10, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Sophomore Matt McKenna came up with a big homerun for the Spider baseball team in the seventh inning on Senior Day. His two-run game-winning homer Tuesday, lifted Richmond to an 8-6 win over Radford and gave the Spiders' an overall mark of 19-26. The loss dropped Radford to 12-32 on the season.
The Highlanders used the long ball to take an early 5-0 lead. Radford's Mark Fleisher went yard in the first with a solo shot. Freshman Brian Alas then gave up back-to-back homers in the third, as the first was a three-run shot from Kellen Wohlford.
The Spiders chipped away at the lead with a run their half of the third on a groundout from freshman Joe Mahoney. The Highlanders then pushed their lead back to five runs with a run-scoring single in the top half of the fourth, but the Spiders answered in the bottom of the inning by sending nine to the plate.
Richmond beat out three hits and reached on an error in an inning which produced four runs. Freshmen Alex Hale and Joe White garnered the first two RBI with singles then were moved over on a sac-bunt from freshman Austin Reilly. Junior Ben Zeskind singled in another run and sophomore Anthony Sandstrom grounded out to score the final run of the inning.
After Alas worked a perfect fifth the Spiders tied the game in their half of the inning. Freshman Ryan Metzroth reached after getting hit then moved to second on a ground out by Hale. White then came through with his second RBI of the day to knot the score at 6-6.
Richmond's starter worked through seven to earn the win. Alas allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits, walked four and struck out six in his seven innings of work.
Alas' win came thanks to McKenna sending a 1-0 offering over the left center field wall in the seventh, driving in Metzroth who had walked earlier in the inning. Senior John Cronin, who made his final appearance at Pitt Field, worked a scoreless eighth by fanning one and not allowing a hit. Hale then came on in the ninth to pick up the first save of his career.
Richmond will now be on the road for the remainder of the 2005 season. The Spiders' first road trip will take them to Williamsburg, Va., Thursday, May 12 to face William & Mary at 7 p.m. Richmond will get back on the road for another pivotal A-10 weekend series in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 14-15, against Duquesne. The Spiders must take at least two from the Dukes to guarantee themselves a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championships.
Game Notes
- Junior Ben Zeskind extended his hit streak to six games with a 3-for-4 effort.
- Freshman Joe White multi-RBI game was the first since driving in three against VMI Feb. 23.
- Freshman Alex Hale picked up the first save of his career.
