University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Washington
Colonials Exact Revenge And Beat Spiders In Extras
03/28/2009 | Baseball
March 28, 2009
ARLINGTON, Va. - Richmond let a 5-0 lead slip away, then scored twice to force extra innings, but fell at George Washington, 8-7, in 10 innings Saturday in Arlington, Va. Freshman Phil Ruzbarsky went three-for-three for the Spiders, who lost for the first time this season in extra innings.
Playing free baseball for the fifth time in six games, Richmond (13-6, 3-2) had won its four previous extra-inning contests, including Friday's game 9-6 in 11 innings. The victory improved the Colonials to 12-14, 2-3.
Pinch-hitter Stephen Oswald led off the 10th inning with a double and catcher Ryan Thomas followed two batters later with the game-winning RBI single off sophomore reliever Billy Barber, who was in his fifth inning of relief. It was the only run allowed by Barber, who fanned five but was tagged with the tough-luck loss.
Freshman Adam McConnell ripped a three-run double as part of a five-run second inning that saw the Spiders streak out to a 5-0 lead. Sophomore Mike Mergenthaler drove in a run on an error and freshman Chris Cowell followed with an RBI single off GW starter Chris Neary.
But homestanding GW shaved a run off the deficit in the third inning, then exploded for five runs off junior starter Matt Zielinski in the fourth.
Zielinski had fanned four and allowed just a run and three hits until the Colonials seized a 6-5 lead in the fourth inning. Thomas collected the second of his three RBI hits in the sixth inning as GW extended its lead to 7-5.
But junior Evan Stehle ripped a one-out double in the seventh inning to help trigger the Spiders' tying rally. Sophomore Andrew Lowry followed next with an RBI single and a Ruzbarsky single and an error on the play moved Lowry to third. Junior Victor Croglio grounded out to plate the equalizer.
Ryan LaPointe pitched the final 3.2 innings with no hits to remain undefeated on the season (4-0).
Ruzbarsky reached base all five times with three singles and two hit by pitches, while Lowry had two hits, an RBI and a run.
The Spiders will go for their second-consecutive A-10 series win Sunday at 1 p.m.
