University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Duke
Duke Walks Off With 6-5 Win Over Richmond In Opener
02/18/2011 | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2011
DURHAM, N.C. - Richmond took a 5-4 lead to the ninth inning, but Duke scored the game's final two runs with two outs and walked off with a 6-5 win over the Spiders in the 2011 season-opener Friday in Durham, N.C.
The Spiders (0-1) retired the first two batters in the inning before Duke's Jeff Kremer drew a walk, followed by a single from Jordan Betts. Kremer moved to third on the single, and Betts reached scoring position on a steal.
Chris Marconcini stepped in, worked the count to 1-2 and ripped a single to center field off junior reliever Alex Maffett. Kremer scored the tying run and Betts followed, sliding in safely under the throw from CF Robby Massar for the game-winner.
Richmond led 4-1 in the sixth inning, but the Blue Devlis scored five of game's final six runs.
The late-game comeback by Duke (1-0) overshadowed what was a strong outing from sophomore starting pitcher Jacob Mayers. Making his first college start, Mayer gave the Spiders six strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing two runs with four strikeouts and turned a 4-2 advantage over to the bullpen.
Mayers also helped his cause at the plate, driving in the game's first run with an RBI single in the third and finished two-for-five.
Duke answered that Mayer's RBI in the bottom of third with a run, but freshman SS Mike Small ripped a two-run triple to the right-field gap in the sixth inning to put Richmond back on top 3-1. Sophomore CF Matt Zink followed with an infield RBI single and Richmond seized a 4-1 advantage.
After the Blue Devils got a pair of runs back in the sixth and seventh innings, senior RF Mike Mergenthaler laced an RBI double to left field scoring Small, who reached on a fielders choice, and the Spiders had their two-run lead back at 5-3.
Small made his first college start at short, triggered a clutch inning-ending double-play played in the second, played error-free ball and finished with a hit, two RBI and two runs.
Sophomore 1B Bret Williams, freshman 3B Nick Poulos and Mergenthaler each had two hits and Richmond out-hit Duke 12-10.
Junior RHP Alex Maffett pitched the ninth inning and was tagged the loss, while Duke's Drew Van Orden fired a scoreless ninth inning and was credited the win.
The two teams continue the three-game series Saturday at Jack Coombs Field at 2 p.m.
