Score: Richmond 8, VCU 2
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 14-35 (7-18), Richmond 30-17 (11-14)
 
THE SHORT STORY: Scattering hits across the early innings, Richmond manufactured a six-run scoring gap which Nick April-Gath's first collegiate home run was not enough to close, as VCU baseball fell in the series opener, 8-2, on Friday evening.
 
LEADING OFF:

• Casey Kleinman, the nation's toughest to strike out, surpassed the 120 at-bat milestone in the game with just three strikeouts on the season
• Adrian Jimenez, Sean Swenson, Nick April-Gath, Nate Kirkpatrick and Kleinman accounted for the Rams' five hits
• Owen Tappy and Cade Dressler combined to strike out 10 Spiders while allowing just three walks in the contest
• VCU committed four errors in the contest, UR played a clean game
• The Rams fell in their sixth-straight contest

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Richmond pieced together six scoring innings, driving in runs on four hits and scratching runs across twice on errors, before the Rams were able to place their first runs on the board
• April-Gath gave VCU a late glimmer of hope, lifting his first collegiate home run off the left-field foul pole to score a pair for VCU, chipping away at the Spiders' 6-2 lead
• UR had a swift answer for the Rams, belting a home run of their own before Ryan Bilka turned the final three outs
• The Rams fell in their final home weekend series opener, 8-2

 
UP NEXT:
VCU continue the series on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. as it looks to even the weekend. Prior to the game, VCU will honor the 2015 Dallas Regional Champion team.