University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
George Mason
Richmond Uses Long Ball To Rally And Beat George Mason, 6-4
03/23/2010 | Baseball
March 23, 2010
FAIRFAX, Va. - Richmond hit three home runs and junior Billy Barber had a homer, three RBI and got the save as the Spiders rallied from an early deficit and beat George Mason, 6-4, Tuesday afternoon in Fairfax, Va.
The victory clinched the two-game season sweep of the Patriots (10-5), who had won six-straight since falling to Richmond (11-8) by a similar 6-4 score on March 2 at Pitt Field. The Spiders have won three-consecutive.
Barber's two-run shot to left field in the fourth inning tied at the game at 2-2 and sophomore RF Phil Ruzbarsky led off the fifth inning with a solo shot to give the Spiders their first lead at 3-2 lead.
Sophomore CF Robby Massar, who made a pair of diving catches in center, followed in the sixth with his first career bomb and Richmond tacked on two more in the seventh thanks to an RBI double from Barber and an error that eventually scored the junior from third.
Richmond used five pitchers in the game, with senior Jared Bard going two innings of relief and picking up his first victory (1-1). Bard fanned three, walked one and allowed two hits in working scoreless ball in the fourth and fifth innings.
Barber moved from left field to the mound and cleaned up a bases-loaded situation facing the Spiders with one out in the eighth inning and the heart of Mason's order coming up. He plunked Ryan Soares (.446 average) to drive in a run, then got reigning CAA Player of the Week Mark Hill (CAA leading .558 average) swinging and got a fielders choice from Brig Tison (.455 average) to end the threat.
In the ninth, Barber worked around a two-out single to close out his third save of the season. Barber got the win, and drove in the winning run, in the team's first meeting.
Barber and junior 1B Mike Mergenthaler each had two of the Spiders' seven hits.
Richmond is back in action Friday at Pitt Field when Atlantic 10 conference plays opens versus Fordham. Friday's first pitch is set for 3 p.m.
