University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Bucknell
Comeback Bid Falls Short As Baseball Falls To Bucknell, 12-11
03/02/2008 | Baseball
March 2, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't complete a furious comeback and fell to Bucknell, 12-11, Sunday afternoon at Pitt Field. The Spiders scored nine times in the final two innings, but a Bison run in the top of the ninth proved to be the difference.
Ryan Metzroth and Billy Barber led the Spiders with three hits apiece, while Evan Stehle had four RBIs. A freshmen, Barber has been white hot for the Spiders since earning a starting spot last week. The Fredericksburg, Va. native is batting .500 (9-for-19) on the season with six RBIs.
Sunday's game followed a script all too familiar to Richmond this season. The Bison (3-2-2), who stretched their winning streak to three after thumping VCU in a doubleheader Saturday, put three runs on the board in the first inning and steadily built that lead to 11-2 heading to the bottom of the eighth.
In the eighth, after Bucknell tacked on what would prove to be three much needed insurance runs in the top half, Stehle ripped his second two-RBI single and Hank Coogan roped a three-run double to the gap in right field with two outs as the Spiders plated six in the frame.
The Spiders (3-5-1) kept their foot on the gas in the ninth as the first five batters reached safely. Metzroth led off with a double and was quickly brought home on Barber's single. Barber moved to second on a wild pitch and Andrew Lowry plated him with his first collegiate hit and RBI. Consecutive walks loaded the bases and later in the inning Austin Reilly drew another free pass with one out to make it a one-run game at 12-11.
David Solan wouldn't let the Spiders get any closer. He was credited with save by getting Coogan to strikeout and Cameron Brown to ground out and end the ball game. It marked the second consecutive game versus the Bison that Richmond had the bases loaded in the ninth with one out and a chance to win. Coogan and Brown were the final outs in both games.
Although each team used five pitchers in the wild contest, both starters were given the decisions. Bucknell's Eric Jarrett picked up his first win, leaving with a 6-2 lead after 5.2 innings. For Richmond, Rob Berzinskas gave up six runs and four walks in four innings and was tagged with the loss (0-2).
Sean Hirch's three-run double to the gap in left-center marked the seventh time in nine games this season that Richmond has allowed a first-inning run against it. Bucknell methodically built its lead with one in the third, two in the fourth, two in seventh and three in the eight.
Its ninth-inning tally would stand as the game-winner. Mark Angelo sizzled a two-out double to centerfield and Andrew Brouse scored from first when the ball was bobbled by the Spiders in the outfield.
Richmond returns to action Tuesday, traveling to Longwood for a 2:30 p.m. contest.
