University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Duquesne
Richmond Beats Duquesne, 6-2, To Earn Series Sweep
04/22/2007 | Baseball
April 22, 2007
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Richmond used four runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull away from Duquesne, 6-2, and sweep the weekend series Sunday in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Spiders (25-16, 13-2) kept themselves on top of the Atlantic 10, getting a pair of RBIs from Andrew Justice and a gem from starting pitcher Josh Horn.
The Spiders swept their third A-10 series of the season and won their seventh conference game in a row, although being out-hit in each of three games this weekend. The Dukes held a 10-3 margin today.
"We did what we had to in order to get a win today," said head coach Ron Atkins. "We maximized our scoring opportunities and played great defense behind our pitchers. We had no errors today and just two in the series. You don't always have to out-hit teams to get wins."
Duquesne starter Mike Dukovich was on the short end of a solid pitching performance, allowing just one hit and three runs (one earned) with four strikeouts in five innings of work. But four walks, an error and a hit-by-pitch proved costly. The loss dropped him to 1-1.
The sixth inning unraveled for the Dukes (13-21, 4-11) as Joe Mahoney led off and reached base on a dropped third strike that rolled to the backstop. Travis Rife came on in relief of Dukovich and walked Vince Riggi. A fielder's choice that produced no outs loaded the bases and Mahoney scored when Justice was plunked. Matt McKenna singled to plate Riggi. A Hank Coogan sacrifice fly and Victor Croglio fielder's choice tacked on two more, making the score 6-1.
Horn (4-2) went six innings of one-run baseball to collect his second A-10 win of the season. He scattered six hits with two strikeouts and walked just one in his best conference start of the season. Chris Sullivan came on to pitch two scoreless innings. Brian Alas closed out the Dukes with two strikeouts in a non-save situation.
"We got some great pitching today in clutch situations," said Atkins. "We didn't strike a lot of people out, but we got key pitches when we needed them."
After a scoreless first inning, Richmond struck for the game's first two runs by scoring in the second and third. The second inning saw Alex Wotring draw a lead off walk and move to third on an error. Justice brought him home with an RBI ground out.
Croglio led the third inning off with a double down the left field line. He moved to third on Benji Marshall's ground out and scored what stood to be the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly from Austin Reilly.
Marshall drew two walks, but went 0-for-3 to see his season-long 10-game hitting streak get snapped.
Duquesne's first run came in the third on an Anthony Manley RBI single in the third. Bill Torre doubled home a run off Alas in the bottom of the ninth.
Richmond returns home Tuesday to host William & Mary after five-straight on the road. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
