Radford Holds off Richmond Rally

RICHMOND, Va.--Radford held off a sixth-inning Richmond rally to earn its seventh win in nine games defeating the Spiders, 8-5, at Pitt Field Tuesday. (Box Score)

Shaun House led the Highlanders' attack with one hit, one run and two RBI. Second baseman Ben Zeskind and senior A.J. Board tallied two hits and one RBI a piece for the Spiders.

In the first, Radford recorded three runs on one hit and the Spiders responded with one run in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Stuart Ritchie, who reached on a walk, scored on a sacrifice fly by House. Starting pitcher Mark Fleisher singled to left field, scoring both second baseman Alan Ashworth and left fielder Kellen Wohlford, both of whom reached on a walk.

Richmond tied the game at three in the third inning, when junior John Cronin stroked a double down the left field line, allowing Alex Wotring and Matt McKenna to score. Wotring and McKenna had both walked to lead off the inning.

The Highlanders posted one run a piece in the fourth and sixth innings. In the fourth, Ritchie tripled, scoring Ives who was hit by a pitch. Ives retaliated in the sixth with a solo home run to left field.

Richmond tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on three hits. Right fielder Josh Farkes singled up the middle and senior Chris Dolan doubled to left field, before senior Bobby LeNoirgrounded out, allowing Farkes to score. Zeskind knocked in Dolan, when he doubled to center field.

Radford clinched the lead and eventually the win when it tallied three unanswered runs, one in the seventh and two in the ninth. The run in the seventh came when Ashworth, who again reached on a walk, scored on a wild pitch. House then doubled in the top of the ninth, scoring Ashworth, who had reached on a single. Centerfielder Jesse Ross then hit an RBI double that scored House and gave RU the final edge.

Robby Bursey pitched two innings, allowed no runs or hits and posted his first win of the season. Freshman Matt Francavillo allowed one run and took the loss for the Spiders.