Final Score: VCU 10, Fairfield 3
Winning Pitcher: Christian Gordon (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Peter Ostensen (0-1)
Save: Cade Dressler (1)
Location: Conway, S.C. (Spring Brooks Stadium)
Records: VCU 1-1, Fairfield 0-2
 
The Short Story: Behind a strong five-scoreless inning start by junior Christian Gordon and a four-inning save from Cade Dressler, the Rams powered their way to the first win of the 2023 season and head coach Bradley LeCroy's first career win.
 
LEADING OFF: 

• VCU used the first two innings to take control of the game from the start, scoring six over the first two frames.
• Gordon tossed five innings, giving up only three hits and striking out five in the start on his way to his first career win.
• Dressler came out of the pen and tossed four innings, giving up only three runs on five hits, striking out six for his first career save.
• Will Carlone, extending his hit streak to 13 games, went 3-for-5 at the dish, knocking in five runs while scoring one of his own.
• Ethan Brooks and Brandon Eike each had a pair of hits and both knocked in two runs each.
• AJ Mathis, hitting in the lead-off spot, reached base twice, scoring two runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Rams opened up the game with a six spot in the first inning, powered by RBIs from Carlone, Eike (two) and Brooks (two).
• William Bean and Harrison Long got on base with one out and Carlone singled to right for the first run of the game. Logan Amiss reached on a hit by pitch and Eike's double down the left field line scored Carlone and Long. Brooks, with two outs, smacked a single to center which then scored a hustling Eike and Amiss.
• Carlone knocked in another run in the second, scoring Mathis from second after he reached on a single and advanced on a wild pitch.
• Over the first three innings, Gordon was almost unhittable, giving up only two hits while allowing just two walks.
• In Gordon's final inning of work (fifth), he battled through Fairfield having a handful of runners on. After getting the first out, Gordon gave up a single before allowing a walk.
• With two runners on Gordon got the second out on a fielder's choice and with runners on the corner he dug in. Facing Fairfield's Venuto Gordon got the job down striking out the Stag hitter to end the Fairfield threat.
• In the top of the sixth, the Rams opened the game up thanks to a bases clearing double from Carlone. The Ram designated hitter knocked home Benzin (double), Mathis (walk) and Bean (walk) and it gave VCU a commanding 9-0 lead.
• Fairfield would get their three runs on a three-run home run hit in the seventh off Dressler. But it would be the only time the Stags got runs across the plate, and the lone inning that Dressler allowed more than one base runner over his four innings of work.
• In the ninth the Rams added one final run on a throwing error that scored Amiss and after a one-two-three inning in the bottom of the ninth VCU had locked up its first win of 2023.

UP NEXT: VCU wraps up its weekend in Conway, S.C. with a matchup against the hosting Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Sunday, Feb. 19. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.