Final Score: VCU 9, Cornell 3
Winning Pitcher: Mason Delane (1-2)
Losing Pitcher: Spencer Edwards (0-1)
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 6-10, Cornell 0-9
 
The Short Story: Six shutdown innings from starting pitcher Zachary Peters and a six-run seventh by the Rams offense gave VCU Baseball the win over Cornell and its first weekend sweep of the 2023 season.
 
LEADING OFF: 

• Peters, who recorded a no-decision, went a career-high six innings, allowing no earned runs while tying a career-high with five strikeouts.
• VCU's Nic Ericsson wrapped up a strong weekend by throwing out a pair of Big Red runners, both in the fifth inning. He finished with a hit at the dish, scoring two runs and recording a two-RBI double.
• Cooper Benzin went 2-for-5; Brandon Eike was 2-for-4 with a run scored giving VCU a pair of Rams with multi hits.
• Mason Delane recorded the win, tossing three innings of relief settling in to allow just one run while striking out four batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Peters came out of the gate throwing darts, not allowing a run until the fourth inning. Over the first three frames, Peters allowed just two hits and saw just three Big Red runners reach base.
• In the second inning the Rams scored three to take the early lead. Jake Thilges reached on a hit by pitch and he advanced to second on a fielding error by the Cornell shortstop that allowed Ericsson to reach first.
• Ethan Brooks singled Ericsson to third and brought home Thilges. But Cornell's sloppy inning continued when Ericsson scored on a passed ball and after AJ Mathis ground out to score Brooks the Rams had taken a 3-0 lead.
• VCU had a sloppy inning of their own in the fourth, giving up two runs on a throwing error by Ericsson that scored one Big Red runner and set up another score on a ground out to short.
• After four innings the Rams held a 3-2 lead over Cornell.
• In the fifth Ericsson showed off the arm, throwing out Jakobi Davis at second for the first out, after Davis reached on a walk. And after Wils Guy drew another walk, Ericsson ended the inning with another strong throw to second to catch Guy trying to steal second.
• Over the fifth and sixth innings both teams were shut down, with Peters allowing just two runners on base over the two frames,
• In the top of the seventh, Cornell tied the game on a single and a double, putting it at 3-3.
• VCU came out in the bottom half of the seventh looking to answer, and Mathis got it started with a lead-off walk. He was moved over by a Benzin bunt single that perfectly found the space between first and second to put a pair of Rams on to open the frame.
• Both runners eventually moved into scoring position and with two outs Eike drew a walk to load the bases full of Rams. Logan Amiss drew a bases-loaded walk for the go-ahead RBI, putting the Rams back in front 4-3.
• Thilges then began to open things up for the Rams, singling up the middle to score both Eike and Benzin.
• Ericsson doubled to center to bring home Thilges and Amiss and after advancing on a wild pitch he came home on a throwing error from his catching counterpart to put the Rams up for good at 9-3.
• Delane then took care of business, allowing just two hits over the final two frames to finish off the weekend sweep and a 9-3 win over Cornell.

UP NEXT: VCU stays at The Diamond for a midweek rematch with James Madison. The Dukes visit The Diamond on Tuesday, Mar. 14 with the first pitch set for 3 p.m.