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Virginia Commonwealth University

#LetsGoVCU
Tyler Locklear Batting Rider
7
Winner Rider RIDERB 2-0
6
VCU VCU 0-1
Winner
Rider RIDERB
2-0
7
Final
6
VCU VCU
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Rider RIDERB 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 2 0 7 5 2
VCU VCU 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 7 3

W: Kirwin, D. (1-0) L: Davis, Tyler (0-1) S: Stalzer, C. (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

VCU FALLS TO RIDER IN SEASON OPENER, 7-6

Score: Rider 7, VCU 6
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. (David F. Couch Ballpark)
Records: VCU 0-1, Rider 2-0
 
The short story: VCU's offense jumped out of the gates with five runs in the first three innings, but the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions responded with seven runs across the next five frames, including three unearned runs, to hand the Rams a season-opening loss.
 
FIRST PITCH
  • Redshirt sophomore third baseman Tyler Locklear went 2-for-3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a double, a home run, and a stolen base. The Preseason All-American and Golden Spikes Award candidate collected a game-high four RBIs.
  • Sophomore shortstop Connor Hujsak went 2-for-4 with a triple and a pair of runs scored.
  • Sophomore left-hander Campbell Ellis threw 3.0 scoreless innings in his first career start, striking out four Broncs.
  • Rider starting pitcher Joe Papeo struck out seven batters in 4.2 innings of work, while Luke Lesch led the Broncs with three RBIs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Locklear opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single up the middle, scoring redshirt sophomore center fielder Scottie O'Bryan, who earlier had raced around to third base on a Rider error in the outfield.
  • Hujsak led off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from redshirt sophomore left fielder Cooper Benzin, then took third when a pick-off attempt bounced off of him and into the outfield. Redshirt junior right fielder Logan Amiss smacked an RBI double down the right field line to double the Rams' lead.
  • After O'Bryan drew a walk, Locklear hit a big fly ball to right that bounced off a Rider outfielder and over the wall for a three-run homer, capping off a four-run inning, and extending the VCU lead to 5-0.
  • The Broncs got two runs back in the fourth inning, then Lesch hit a two-run homer in the fifth to get within a run. An RBI groundout in the seventh tied the game, then Rider took a 7-5 lead with a pair of unearned runs in the eighth.
  • VCU mounted a comeback in the ninth with a leadoff triple to right center by Hujsak. Benzin got VCU back within a run by legging out an infield single to score Hujsak.
 
NOTABLE
  • Ellis ended each of his three innings of work with a strikeout, stranding a total of five runners.
  • Hujsak extended his hitting streak to 10 games dating back to last May, while Locklear has recorded a hit in nine straight games.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams are back in action at "The Couch" tomorrow morning against Lafayette at 10 a.m.
 
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