Score: Richmond 12, VCU 10
Location: Richmond, Va. (Pitt Field)
Records: VCU 31-21 (13-8 Atlantic 10), Richmond 24-28 (13-9)
 
The short story: Freshman Chris McHugh hit a game-tying home run to cap a six-run VCU rally in the eighth, but it wasn't enough for the Rams to hold off Richmond Thursday afternoon at Pitt Field.
 
LEADING OFF

• Senior catcher Nic Ericsson was 2-for-3 and hit a two-run home run for VCU. He reached base four times and drove in three
• Graduate centerfielder Cooper Benzin was 2-for-5 at the plate for the Black and Gold with a pair of RBIs
• Graduate DH Eli Weisner also hit his fifth homer of the year for the Rams and drove in two
• Five Richmond players recorded two hits each, while DH Jack Arcamone drove in three 

THE STRETCH

• Richmond first baseman Jordan Jaffe snapped a 10-all tie in the bottom of the eighth, when he drilled the first pitch he saw from VCU reliever Owen Tappy over the wall in left centerfield for a two-run homer
• VCU trailed 10-4 heading into the eighth inning, but got an RBI double from pinch hitter Jake Thilges, followed by a two-run single by Benzin, to cut the deficit to 10-7. Ericsson promptly greeted Richmond reliever Chase Topolski with a two-run, opposite field blast to pull the Rams within 10-9. Two batters later, McHugh turned on the first offering he saw from Topolski for a long, solo home run to left center
• Ericsson also delivered an RBI single in the second inning, which cut into a 3-0 Spiders lead
• The Rams fell behind 6-1 after two, but Weisner hammered a 1-1 pitch into the woods beyond the left field fence in the top of the third for a two-run homer
• VCU recorded 11 hits in the game

NEXT UP
Due to rain in Saturday's forecast, VCU and Richmond will play a doubleheader on Friday, May 17 at Pitt Field. Game one is set to get underway at noon.