Score: VCU 5, Virginia 3
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 22-14, Virginia 17-18
 
The short story: VCU started hot with a three-run first inning, while junior catcher Hunter Vay added some insurance with a solo home run in the sixth. Five Rams pitchers held the Cavaliers to just three runs on seven hits.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Vay led VCU at the plate, going 2-for-4, hitting his second homer of the year, and collecting a pair of RBIs.
• Sophomore left-hander Jaden Griffin notched his second win of the season on the mound, surrendering just one run on one hit across three innings and striking out three.
• Righty Bradford Webb also struck out three Cavaliers in three innings of work to start the game, allowing a single run.
• Sophomore Danny Watson was the third VCU arm to collect three strikeouts, doing so in one and a third innings.
• Freshman lefty Tyler Davis earned his third save of the year, holding Virginia scoreless for the final four outs.

THE DIFFERENCE

• The Rams jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning on just one hit. After VCU loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a fielder's choice, junior Liam Hibbits brought home Michael Haydak on an RBI hit-by-pitch, which was followed by an RBI walk from junior right fielder Jack Schroeder. Vay singled through the right side after a Virginia pitching change to score Steven Carpenter.
• The Cavaliers cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth, but Vay roped a solo shot inside the right field foul pole to give VCU some cushion.
• VCU added further insurance in the bottom of the eighth. After back-to-back singles from Logan Amissand Connor Hujsak, Hogan Brown reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt, which scored Cooper Benzin, who had pinch run for Amiss.

NOTABLE

• VCU has won a season-high six straight games.
• The Rams improved to 12-3 at The Diamond this season.

UP NEXT
VCU's next scheduled game is Tuesday, April 27, when the Rams host in-state rival VMI at 6:30 p.m. from The Diamond.