University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
#vs. Fordham
Spiders Top Fordham In Atlantic 10 Tournament Marathon, 4-1
05/25/2005 | Baseball
May 25, 2005
DAYTON, Ohio - Freshman first baseman Joe Mahoney's RBI single scored Austin Reilly as part of a three-run 13th inning and Brian Alas tossed six innings of superb relief as Richmond edged Fordham in 13 innings, 4-1, in the second game of the 2005 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship from Fifth Third Field.
The Spiders (21-33) will now face second-seeded George Washington (39-17) Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Richmond lost its regular season series to the Colonials, 1-2, at Pitt Field in Richmond.
Mahoney collected one of Richmond's three hits in the top of the 13th inning, with junior right fielder Andrew Justice also providing an RBI single. Alas then retired the side in order in the bottom of the 13th to earn his seventh win of the season. The Port Washington, N.Y., native allowed one run and struck out four in relief of sophomore starter Rob Berzinskas, who scattered three hits while fanning seven over seven innings.
"I just throw the ball in the zone and see what happens and I had my good curveball today going for strikes," said Alas, who raised his strikeout total to 61 in his inaugural season with the Spiders. "When you throw curveballs for strikes, good things happen."
The loss overshadowed a dominant performance on the mound by Fordham freshman Tom Davis, who surrendered just three hits with five strikeouts in nine innings of work. Rams junior Craig Tscherednikov suffered the loss out of the bullpen, allowing three runs on four hits in a three-inning stint.
Fordham threatened in the bottom of the 10th inning as first baseman Gary Kaible led off with a single to center and moved to second on senior Tim Short's sacrifice. After an intentional walk to junior Greg Smith, Richmond's Alas fanned Jeremy Bourgeois and John Mollicone to retire the side.
Freshman designated hitter Andrew Justice from second base, giving Richmond a 1-0 lead. However, Fordham responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the 12th as junior outfielder Greg Smith singled home senior Tim Short, who reached on a fielder's choice.
"We had some scoring opportunities today, but we made some base running mistakes but the kids fought back and really hung in there," said Richmond head coach Ron Atkins, who saw his team emerge victorious in a contest which equaled the second-longest in A-10 Championship history.
"Both of them [Berzinskas and Alas] pitched well. They hit their spots and for the most part kept the ball down. We have played in a lot of games this year where one run is critical and the team knew if they hung in there long enough, they could get one."
Richmond will look for another win Thursday, May 26, when it faces second-seeded George Washington at 3:30 p.m., Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. The Spiders managed just one win in its regular season set with the Colonials, but out hit GW .286 to .267 in the series. Richmond lost two one-run games to begin the series then won a one-run game in the finale.
The Spiders will send freshman right hander Stephen Owens to the hill Thursday. The Sykesville, Md., native brings a 4-2 mark into what will be his 12th start of the season. He also boasts a 3.69 ERA in 68.1 innings.
Game Notes
- The Spiders improve their all-time record in A-10 Championship history to 10-5.
- Freshman Joe Mahoney's recorded his ninth go-ahead RBI of the season and his third game-winning RBI in 2005.
- Sophomore Rob Berzinskas surpassed the century mark by fanning seven in seven innings of work. The Clinton, Conn., native now has 102 punchouts on the season.
- Richmond is now 6-2 all-time against the Rams and 6-1 under head coach Ron Atkins.
- The Spiders are now 2-1 when playing on neutral sites and 4-1 in extra-inning games.
- Junior Ben Zeskind recorded his 21st multi-hit game of the season and now has hit in three straight. The Miami, Fla., native has also hit in 44 of 50 games played and reached base in a total of 48 of those 50.
