Score: VCU 4, Princeton 0
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 3-9, Princeton 1-8
 
THE SHORT STORY: VCU supported a four-run first frame with nine innings of pure dominance on the mound as Jack Hoeymans, Cooper Campbell and Zachary Peters combined for a two-hit shutout of Princeton in the series-opener Friday evening.
 
LEADING OFF:

• The pitching staff combined for a season-high 13 strikeouts
• Hoeymans tossed a gem, going a career-high 5.0 innings with a seven-strikeout total that fell just one short of his career best and was the most by a VCU arm this season
• With five strikeouts, Campbell topped his own career mark
• Will Henson belted his first home run as a Ram in the first inning, a three-run shot
• Freshman second baseman Nick Flores accounted for VCU's other RBI
• The combined two-hitter was the first of its kind since Justin Humenay, Mason Delane and Jack Masloff allowed just a pair of hits at Massachusetts on March 15, 2022
• VCU snapped its losing skid at four games, picking up its third weekend victory of the year
• Sean Episcope and Eaton Elliott combined to allow just a hit from the Rams offense

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Werchan reached on a wild pitch to lead off the game and Sean Swenson and Casey Kleinman followed with walks to load the bases in the Rams first three at-bats
• Werchan came around to score on a Flores sacrifice fly before Henson cleared the bases with his 395-foot shot to center field, giving the Rams a 4-0 advantage
• Hoeymans carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, allowing just a single baserunner through his first five frames on a third-inning walk
• Tommy Googins tallied the first of Princeton's two hits to lead off the sixth
• Collecting three prompt outs to relieve Hoeymans, Campbell started his afternoon strong
• The second Tigers hit led off the sixth, which the Rams erased with a Kleinman cannon to catch Jake Bold stealing, and Campbell responded by retiring the next five Tigers straight
• Peters closed out the evening with a no-hit inning for VCU to seal the first home victory

 
UP NEXT:
VCU will continue the series against the Tigers with a Saturday afternoon matchup at 2 p.m. on  March 8 and conclude its weekend at 1 p.m. on March 9. The Rams will welcome East Carolina for a pair of midweek games Tuesday and Wednesday on March 11-12.