Score: VCU 17, Fordham 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 34-18 (17-5 Atlantic 10), Fordham 16-34 (9-13 A-10)
 
The short story: VCU scored runs in each of the first five innings, including multiple runs in four of those frames, to win its season-best ninth game in a row.
 
FIRST PITCH

• In addition to a nine-game winning streak, VCU has won 10 straight conference games, 17 of its last 20 contests, and is 31-10 since March 8.
• This is the third time in the last five games that VCU has scored 17 or more runs.
• VCU outhit Fordham 13-4.
• Redshirt sophomore first baseman Tyler Locklear hit his third career grand slam, part of a 2-for-6 night where he also drew a hit-by-pitch, scored two runs, and tied a career high with 6 RBIs.
• Redshirt sophomore infielder Ben Nippolt hit his first home run in Black and Gold, filling the box score with three RBIs, two runs, two hit-by-pitches, and a sacrifice bunt.
• Freshman second baseman Marcus O'Malley set career highs across the board with a 3-for-3 night, two walks, four runs, and two RBIs.
• Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Will Carlone had a two-double night for the second time this season, tying a career high with four RBIs and adding a walk and two runs.
• Redshirt junior center fielder AJ Mathis, graduate catcher Jacob Selden, and redshirt sophomore left fielder Cooper Benzin each scored two runs, with Mathis also drawing a season-high three walks.
• Sophomore left-hander Campbell Ellis earned the win on the mound, striking out four batters in 4.0 innings, and allowing one unearned run on two hits.
• Freshman Chase Hungate and graduate Nolan Wilson combined for 5.0 scoreless innings of relief duty, with Wilson striking out five.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Fordham opened the scoring in the top of the first on a double steal attempt that resulted in an inning-ending caught stealing, but not before a run crossed home plate.
• Carlone responded immediately in the bottom of the frame with a two-out, bases-clearing double to give VCU a 3-1 lead after one.
• VCU tacked on another two-out run in the next inning, with O'Malley leading off the frame with a single up the middle, moving to second on a Nippolt sac bunt, to third on a deep Locklear flyout, and scoring on a single from redshirt junior right fielder Logan Amiss.
• VCU broke the game open with a five-run third inning, stretching the lead to 9-1. The Black and Gold strung together an RBI double from Carlone, an RBI single from Benzin, an RBI single from O'Malley, and a two-run single from Locklear.
• VCU drew four straight walks, followed by an RBI hit-by-pitch worn by Nippolt to plate two runs in the sixth, then two pitches after Fordham made a pitching change, Locklear sent a grand slam over the wall in right center to balloon the lead to 15-1.
• After a leadoff walk in the top of the fifth, Mathis made a ranging, diving catch in center field, then VCU turned an 8-7-4-3 double play, with Benzin taking the ball and relaying to O'Malley and Locklear to get the runner out at first who hadn't tagged.
• Nippolt crushed his first homer as a Ram to right center in the fifth, a two-run blast that also scored O'Malley and pushed the VCU advantage to 17-1.

 
NOTABLE

• VCU's 10 walks and five hit-by-pitches were both one shy of season highs.
• Locklear's grand slam gave him sole possession of third place on VCU's all-time career home runs list with 31. This season he leads the Black and Gold with 63 runs, 70 hits, 14 home runs, 61 RBIs, 19 hit-by-pitches, and 21 multi-hit games, and has reached base in 35 straight contests. The 14 homers and 61 RBIs are both also top-10 single-season marks in VCU history, and the second entry on each of those lists for Locklear.
• Nippolt is on an eight-game hitting streak.
• Ellis leads VCU with 60 strikeouts in 63.0 innings, boasts a 3.00 ERA, and is tied for the team lead with four wins.
• Sophomore shortstop Connor Hujsak has stolen a team-best 15 bases.

 
UP NEXT
VCU and Fordham continue their three-game series Friday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. from The Diamond. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and tickets can be purchased here.