University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
*George Washington
Spiders Even Series Against Colonials With Saturday Win, 7-1
05/13/2006 | Baseball
May 13, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond squad scored seven runs, and did not allow an extra-basehit until the ninth Saturday at Pitt Field, winning the second game of a three-game set with George Washington, 7-1. The Spiders, who honored six seniors prior to the first pitch, are now 21-29 overall and 11-12 in the A-10. First pitch in the third game, Sunday, May 14 is slated for 10 a.m.
Sophomore Alex Hale got the spark going in the top half of the first when he induced a lineout double play with one out. The Spiders proceeded to jump on GW starter Derek Haese early. Senior Ben Zeskind and junior Alex Wotring both reached on walks, allowing sophomore Joe Mahoney two drive in one with a single through the left side. Sophomore Cameron Brown then came up with runners at second and third and recorded one of his four RBI with a groundout to short. Sophomore Hank Coogan then helped the third run of the inning cross the plate when he doubled to left-center.
Hale continued to coast in his eighth start of the season. The Omaha, Neb.,. native scattered three singles over the next four innings, and got GW to strand each baserunner in those innings.
The Spiders gave Hale more insurance in the fourth when junior Vince Riggi doubled off the Colonials first reliever, Tim Sexton. After two outs, junior Benji Marshall traded places with Riggi on a double to right-center for the RBI.
Hale worked into the seventh continuing to allow singles, but stranding runners. The righthander ended his day by scattering six singles, walking one and fanning four in seven innings of work.
Richmond got three more in the seventh on a three-run bomb from Brown. Zeskind reached with one out on an infield single, then advanced to second when Wotring was hit by a pitch. After Mahoney grounded into a fielder's choice, Brown had runners at first and third with two outs. The Troy, N.Y., native sent a two-strike fastball over the scoreboard in left-center to make it 7-0 in favor of the Spiders.
Senior Derek Duclos was the first reliever called on by Richmond. The Exton, Pa., native fanned the first batter he saw, got a foul out, then ended the inning with a brilliant behind the back play on a comebacker in the eighth.
Freshman Chris Vargo ledoff the eighth with a pinch-hit triple down the leftfield line, but was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a weak groundball with one out in the inning.
Senior Wyatt Stewart came on for the Spiders to close it out in the ninth. The Washington, D.C., native allowed a run on two hits, but with a six-run cushion the righthander retired the final two he faced with a punchout and flyout to centerfield.
Richmond and George Washington will end the three-game series Sunday, May 14, at 10 a.m. The game has been pushed up to accommodate the 2006 Commencement Ceremonies later Sunday afternoon in the Robins Center. Sunday's contest will mark the final home game of 2006 for the Spiders, and the final home contest for seniors Ben Zeskind. Each of those six individuals have earned or will earn their degrees Sunday afternoon.
Game Notes
-- Senior Ben Zeskind finished the day 2-for-3 with two singles. The senior is now five hits away from equalling the all-time career hit mark of 307 at Richmond.
-- Sophomore Joe Mahoney recorded his first stolen base of 2006. He also recorded his 21st multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
-- Freshman Cameron Brown recorded a career-best four RBI with his groundout in the first and three-run homer in the seventh.
-- Sophomore Alex Hale seven innings of shutout work marked the third time this season opponents have failed to score on him, and the 11th time in his career he has blanked an opponent.
-- Freshman Chris Vargo recorded the first triple of his career on pinch-hitting assignment in the eighth.
-- Richmond has alternated wins and losses over the last 11 games, going 6-5.
