March 19, 2003

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond hit-around in the second inning to explode for eight runs, defeating the visiting Towson Tigers, 8-2. The win tied the longest home field win-streak, set by the 1999 squad, at 12-0. Richmond improves to 15-2, while Towson falls to 7-5.

The Spiders went on a two-out rally in the second, scoring all of their runs in the frame. Towson starter Stephen Merson walked shortstop Bobby LeNoir (Wilmington, Del.) and catcher Adam Tidball (Bethesda, Md.), before second baseman David Thomas (McLean, Va.) singled up the middle to plate Tidball. Following Thomas, third baseman Ben Zeskind (Miami, Fla.) loaded-up the bases on a walk. An error and hit by pitch scored LeNoir and Thomas.

Junior rightfielder Chris Dolan (Holmdel, N.J.) ripped a left field line double to keep the inning alive, plating Ben Zeskind (Miami, Fla.) and Michael Galligan (Woodbury, N.Y.). Board and Dolan scored when designated hitter Vito Chiaravalloti (Middletown, N.J.) followed suit, belting his own double down the left field line. The Spiders finished the tally with Chiaravalloti touching home on a Jim Fasano (Horsham, Pa.) single into center field.

Righty Matt McLoughlin (San Diego, Calif.) took the mound for Richmond, striking out five in 6.0 innings. McLoughlin (3-2) allowed one hit to earn the win. Sophomore John Cronin (Branford, Conn.) earned his first save, cementing the win in 3.0 innings. Cronin fanned two, while allowing two hits.

Towson did not leave their side of the scoreboard blank, scoring two runs in the seventh by Brian McKenna and Jeremy Stifler. Tigers' Stephen Merson (1-1) took the loss, allowing one earned run and five hits in 1.2 innings.

Richmond returns to Pitt Field, tomorrow, Thursday, March 20 at 2:30 p.m. against Old Dominion. The Spiders and Monarchs met earlier this season, with ODU taking the extra inning win, 4-3.