University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Wichita State
Wichita State Outscores Spiders, 14-7, In Series Finale
03/04/2007 | Baseball
March 4, 2007
WICHITA, Kan - In the rubber match of a three-game series, the Spiders jumped to a 4-0 lead after an inning and a half, and held a 7-6 advantage through five, before 11th-ranked Wichita State (10-4) rallied for a 14-7 victory Sunday at Eck Stadium. The Shockers won the final two games of the set after Richmond (4-6) won the first game, 11-10, spoiling Wichita State's home opener.
The Spiders jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first on a double by designated hitter Hank Coogan and an RBI single from first baseman Joe Mahoney. In a three-run second, shortstop Victor Croglio's two-run single chased Wichita State starter Matt Smith. Coogan later followed with the second of his three hits, an RBI double that gave Richmond a 4-0 lead.
Spider starter Ian Marshall made quick work of the Shockers in the first, but Wichita State's bats came to life for three runs in the second and three in fourth to take a 6-4 lead. Tyler Weber's three-run homer was a key hit for the home team.
Marshall left after five-plus innings, but not before his teammates staked him to a 7-6 by scoring three unearned runs with two outs in the fifth. An error allowed two runs to score, and centerfielder Joe White ripped a two-out double to plate the go-ahead run. White was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
But the Shockers took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with four runs. Marshall departed after issuing a leadoff walk and was relieved by Josh Horn (0-2). The big blow was a bases-clearing triple by Conor Gillaspie.
Wichita State added four more runs in the eighth and finished the day with 16 hits.
The Spiders return to action Tuesday at William & Mary (3 p.m). Following the short trip to Williamsburg, Richmond begins a stretch of nine straight home games, beginning with a 2:30 p.m. contest Wednesday against state-rival Virginia Tech at Pitt Field.
