University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Rhode Island
Trent Fans 13, Barber Hits Two Bombs As Spiders Beat URI In Extras
05/16/2010 | Baseball
May 16, 2010
KINGSTON, R.I. - Matt Trent struck out a career-high 13, and Billy Barber did the rest - clubbing a pair of two-run home runs, including the game-winning shot in the 10th inning, and getting the win in relief - as Richmond beat Rhode Island, 4-3, in 10 innings Sunday in Kingston, R.I.
For the sixth time this season Barber, a quarterfinalist for the 2010 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, has provided the winning RBI and picked up the pitching decision (three wins, three saves) in the same game. Sunday, the junior from Fredericksburg, Va. fired the final three innings in relief to improve to 5-3, while hitting two-run bombs to left field in the first and 10th innings.
The victory improved Richmond to 23-26 overall and 9-15 in the Atlantic 10. Second-place Rhode Island slipped to 26-22, 15-9.
Trent's 13 strikeouts were the most by a Spider since current San Diego Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer punched out 15 in a 2003 game versus Princeton at Pitt Field. Trent has fanned 24 in his last two outings (11 at Duquesne last Sunday) - to mark the most strikeouts in back-to-back games since Stauffer set down 28 in 2003 (15 vs. Princeton and 13 vs. Virginia).
Trent scattered six hits and walked two over his seven innings and turned the 2-2 game over to Barber, who kept the Rams scoreless and sent the game to extra innings.
In the 10th, Adam McConnell reached on an error to lead off and moved to second with his 21st steal of the season. Then with two outs, Barber launched the eventual game-winner off URI closer Gardner Leaver.
Richmond drew first blood, staking Trent to an early 2-0 lead as McConnell led off the game with the first of his two doubles on the day and later scored thanks to Barber's 10th home run of the season - off the scoreboard in left field.
The Rams carved into the lead with a run in the third and drew even with another in the fifth.
URI starter Dan Rossignol faced just four batters over the minimum after the Spiders' two-run first, turning the 2-2 game over to his bullpen to start the ninth. He fanned eight and walked none.
Richmond brings the 2010 regular season to a close next week, hosting Old Dominion Tuesday and welcoming Charlotte for a three-game series starting Thursday.
