Score: VCU 2, Holy Cross 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 1-0, Holy Cross 0-1
 
Fenix DiGiacomo, Caleb Clover and Zach Peters combined on the mound for 17 strikeouts in a one-hit gem, setting the scene for Ethan Acevedo to become the Rams' unsung hero in his debut plate appearance in Black & Gold. A sacrifice fly walked-off the victory in VCU baseball's final Opening Day at The Diamond.
 
LEADING OFF:

• DiGiacomo (6), Clover (3) and Peters (7) combined for 17 strikeouts, which is the most in a game since the Rams' 17 on April 7, 2021 against Georgetown
• The hurlers had the Rams' first combined one-hitter since March 2, 2019
• Quinn Maher led the squad offensively in his VCU debut, recording a pair of hits and a run
• A pair of newcomers, Dante DeFranco and Michael Petite also picked up their first hits as Rams
• Nick Flores tallied his 60^th career hit in the first game of his sophomore season
• Peters, who earned a save in a hitless outing his last time out during the season finale, picked up the win on the mound
• The Rams continued their momentum from last season's finale sweep, extending the program's win streak to four games 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• DiGiacomo retired nine Crusaders to start the game, erasing his lone baserunner with a double play in the opening inning
• Reigning Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Jaden Wywoda allowed runners to touch third twice in the first three frames, but matched the Rams' scoreless trio of innings
• Holy Cross' lone hit of the game led off the fourth inning and CJ Egrie, the 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year came around to score on a wild pitch
• VCU answered in the bottom of the frame as Maher led off the inning with an opposite-field single and scored on a sacrifice fly from Nate Kirkpatrick
• Clover and Peters kept the one-hitter intact for the next five innings and didn't allow a run, sending the Rams to the bottom of the ninth tied 1-1
• Ethan Acevedo, a defensive substitution in the eighth inning, came up to the plate with Adelman on third courtesy of a multi-base error and sent a fly ball to left field, driving in the winning run for a walk-off sacrifice
• VCU opened its season with a victory for the first time since 2020

 
UP NEXT
The Rams will conclude the series against Holy Cross with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at The Diamond. Fans can follow along with live stats.