Final Score:Â VCU 9, Richmond 8
Winning Pitcher:Â
Zachary Peters (3-5)
Losing Pitcher:Â Brenden Argomaniz (2-6)
Location:Â Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records:Â VCU 24-27 (10-10), Richmond 22-25 (11-8)
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The Short Story:Â Fighting off a late Richmond comeback attempt, VCU Baseball used a clutch two-out walk-off single from
Griffin Boone to knot up a critical inner-city and Atlantic 10 series with the Spiders.
LEADING OFF:
- Brandon Eike and Nic Ericsson flexed their muscles at the dish, each belting a three-run home run.
- Griffin Boone enjoyed a multi-hit game, going 2-of-4 at the plate, including a ninth-inning single that led to the winning run.
- William Bean went 1-of-4 with a two-RBI single that started the Black and Gold's scoring on the afternoon.
- Brian Curley pitched a solid five innings as the Rams' starter, allowing only four earned runs and walking two Spiders.
- Jack Goleski and Maison Martinez pitched an inning each, allowing only one earned run apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED:Â
- Richmond opened up the game with a three-run first inning to make it 3-0 in favor of the visiting Spiders after one inning.
- VCU roared back with eight runs over the two next two innings.
- Bean ignited the rally with a two-RBI single through the left side, plating both Boone and Ericsson.
- One batter later, Eike smacked one over the right field fence to send add three Rams home and make it a 5-3 score after two.
- The following inning, Cooper Benzin and Scottie O'Bryan hit back-to-back singles, setting the stage for Ericsson's three-run blast over the Diamond's left-field wall, making it an 8-3 ball game through three innings.
- The Spiders crawled their way back into the ball game over the middle innings, tying the score at eight on a two-run homer by Jordan Jaffe in the eighth inning.
- After Zachary Peters sat down Richmond side in order to start the ninth, VCU had their chance to win in walk-off fashion. Thilges and Benzin each got on with a hit by pitch.
- Three batters later and with two outs, Boone smacked a single into left field, that got by the left fielder. The misplay in left field allowed Thilges to slide into home safely and seal the Rams' victory at 9-8 and set up a winner-take's all game on Sunday.
UP NEXT:Â VCU and Richmond conclude their rivalry series at the Diamond on Sunday, May 14, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Sunday is senior day and the Rams will honor their seven seniors;
Scottie O'Bryan;
AJ Mathis;
Mason Delane;
Jacob Selden;
Justin Walton;
Will Carlone;
Art Schoenstadt.