University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's Storms Back To Edge Richmond, 9-7
05/11/2007 | Baseball
May 11, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Saint Joseph's scored six times in the final three innings to rally and beat Richmond, 9-7, Friday afternoon at Elmwood Park in Philadelphia. The Hawks tagged eight of their nine runs on the Spiders' bullpen after the Spiders had taken a 7-3 lead in the sixth inning.
Joe Mahoney hit a three-run home run, Benji Marshall went three-for-four with two triples, two RBIs and Austin Reilly was four-for-four with two runs scored, but the offense was for naught. The game marked the first time in conference play the Spiders have blown a lead.
Ian Marshall came on in relief of Alex Hale to start the third inning and saw Saint Joseph's take its first of the game at 3-2 with a pair of runs. Hale, who left with an injury, had pitched effectively in his two innings, allowing just an unearned run with no walks and three strikeouts.
Ian settled in after the third, keeping the Hawks off the scoreboard and allowing just four base runners over the next three innings. Meanwhile, the Spiders' offense recaptured the lead with Ian's brother Benji's third hit in as many at bats - a two-RBI single up the middle in the fourth inning.
Mahoney's 16th homer of the season, a three-run bomb over the wall in right field, extended the Spiders' lead to 7-3 in the sixth inning.
After setting the Hawks down in order on seven pitches in the sixth inning, Marshall found trouble again in the seventh. Drew Smith scored from third on a one-out sacrifice fly, after he led the inning off with a triple down the left field line. A walk and two consecutive singles loaded the bases and chased Marshall for Brian Alas.
Alas, who set a new Richmond single-season record with his 31st appearance, gave up a two-RBI single to Jeremy Jakubowski and a run-scoring single by David Valesente to tie the see-saw battle for a third time.
An RBI single from Mike Gentile in the eighth, followed two batters later by an RBI double from Chris Hildreth, would prove to be the game winners. Alas found himself on the short end of the decision, dropping his record to 3-2. Reliever Andrew Powers fired two scoreless and hitless innings with two strikeouts to earn his first win.
The loss drops Richmond to 28-23 overall and 16-6 in the Atlantic 10. Saint Joseph's improves to 10-34, 6-16.
Benji Marshall took the first offering of the game from starting pitcher Jeff Williams to the gap in right field and legged out a triple. Hank Coogan's ground out allowed the Spiders to score the game's first run.
Gentile equalized the game at 1-1 in the second with an RBI groundout to shortstop Victor Croglio. Matt Godusky scored on the play after drawing a walk and moving to third on a failed pick off attempt at first.
The game's first three runs were all scored by way of groundouts to short.
Game two of the A-10 series is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
