Score: #11 Virginia 8, VCU 4
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 27-17, Virginia 34-12
Attendance: 3,689
 
The short story: Freshman first baseman Chris McHugh launched a grand slam, but it wasn't enough for VCU to overcome 11^th-ranked Virginia Tuesday night in front of a season-high crowd of 3,689 at The Diamond.
 
LEADING OFF

• McHugh finished 2-for-4 for the Rams and provided all four of VCU's via his second homer, and first career grand slam, of the year
• Graduate designated hitter Eli Weisner also recorded a pair of hits for the Black and Gold, including a double
• Redshirt junior Jake Thilges was 1-for-2, scored a run and reached base three times for the Rams
• Sophomore righthander Cam Nuckols tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief for VCU. He struck out a pair

THE STRETCH

• The Cavaliers launched four home runs in the game, including a two-out, three run blast by DH Jacob Ference in the top of the first inning
• UVA would add a run in the third and expanded its lead to 7-0 in the sixth on a solo homer by third baseman Luke Hanson and an RBI double by Casey Saucke
• Harrison Didawick added a round-tripper to deep right center in the ninth for Virginia
• McHugh's heroics made things interesting for a while. VCU sandwiched a pair of walks around a double from senior catcher Nic Ericsson to load the bases in the bottom half of the seventh. McHugh stepped up and hammered a 3-2 pitch over the left centerfield wall to pull the Rams within 7-4 

NEXT UP
VCU will host George Washington in a pivotal Atlantic 10 Conference series at The Diamond May 3-5. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.