University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Mason
Riggi's Walk-Off Grand Slam Leads Spiders Over George Mason, 11-7
03/21/2007 | Baseball
March 21, 2007
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| Highlights 
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Senior Vince Riggi belted a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Richmond baseball team an 11-7 victory over George Mason on Wednesday at Pitt Field.
The Spiders trailed 7-6 entering the bottom of the inning, but junior Austin Reilly drew a lead-off walk. Senior Andrew Justice bunted him over and junior Hank Coogan doubled down the left field line to tie the game.
"The key was Austin Reilly working the pitcher for a lead-off walk," Atkins said. "You also can't overlook Justice laying down that bunt. Everyone did their jobs."
Junior Joe Mahoney was intentionally walked for the second-straight at-bat and, after George Mason got a strikeout for the second out of the inning, senior Alex Wotring drew a walk to load the bases.
That brought up Riggi, who had hit a grand slam in the win over Old Dominion last Wednesday. Riggi worked the count to 3-and-1, then took a questionable pitch for a strike as he started to head to first. He fouled tipped the next pitch and then hit a ball just foul down the third base line.
"He brought two inside on me that I fouled off, but then he left one out of the plate," Riggi said after launching the third 3-and-2 pitch high into the trees in left field to give the Spiders their sixth win in seven games against CAA teams this season.
It was Riggi's third home run of the season, all coming in the last week. Riggi, who finished the game 2-for-4 with a career-high five RBIs. now has six-career home runs and the two grand slams coming a week apart.
"They came in two great team wins for us," Riggi said of his two grand slams. "Hopefully we can build on this for the rest of the season."
Riggi has 12 RBIs in the last four games, dating back to the win over Old Dominion last Wednesday.
"He came up big for us again," Atkins said. "He has shown he can get the big hit."
Coogan, who had the key one-out RBI-double that tied the game, finished the day 3-for-5.
"Hank has been doing a great job with runners in scoring position," Atkins said. "He's been a clutch hitter for us, that's why I have him hitting in the two hole."
Freshman Scott O'Neil earned his first collegiate win, entering the game in the eighth inning and holding George Mason scoreless over the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Sophomore Josh Horn went seven innings, allowing eight hits, four runs and striking out four.
"Josh Horn gave us a great effort," Atkins said. "He did a great job keeping us in the ball game. We didn't support him offensively."
While the Spiders had 17 hits and scored 11 runs, they left 14 runners on base, including eight in scoring position.
"I thought we could have blown it open earlier if we had been a touch better on our situational hitting, especially with runners in scoring position," Atkins said.
Senior Matt McKenna went 3-for-5, Reilly went 2-for-2, while Brown and junior Joe White also had two hits.
The Spiders led 6-4, before the Patriots (9-10) scored three runs in the top of the eighth to take a 7-6 lead.
Richmond (10-10) opens Atlantic 10 play this weekend when Rhode Island visits Pitt Field in a series originally scheduled for Rhode Island. The two teams will play Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
