VCU Baseball went 2 out of 3 versus Davidson in their weekend A-10 series at the Diamond. The Rams got their bats to deliver with every passing game including a Game 3 where the Black & Gold ran up the scoreboard.
Game 1: Davidson Plays Spoiler
Friday’s opening game went in favor of the visitors. Davidson struck gold in the top of the 2nd thanks to an RBI double by Justin Lebek. Paul Witt smashed a VCU response out of the Diamond with a home run. Witt brought Brett Norwood home on his second home run of the season to give VCU a 2-1 lead in the 4th.
The Wildcats regained the lead on their next at-bat. Alex Mardiney stepped to the plate with Trevor Candelaria on third base and 1 out. Mardiney hit the ball deep into left field and brought Candelaria home on the sacrificial out. VCU swung for the fences but could not get that run home as the Rams suffered their first conference loss 2-3.
Game 2: A Fitting Response from VCU
VCU responded on Saturday to tie the series 1-1. Hogan Brown set the pace on the Ram’s first at-bat with a single; Brown would make the rounds to third on a throwing error by Davidson. Davidson’s error making continued with Brett Norwood being hit by a pitch.
Another throwing error by the catcher was countered by Brown and Norwood. Norwood successfully stole second base while Brown advanced to home plate putting VCU up 1. The Wildcats would reset and bring in 3 runs over 5 innings for a Davidson 3-1 lead.
The Rams put the game on ice scoring 3 runs in the 6th and 7th inning. The sixth started with 2 straight outs until Zac Ching was walked by the pitcher. Norwood connected next for another single; both would advance on base thanks to a wild pitch by Davidson. Davidson’s bad pitching continued as Paul Witt was walked to load the bases for VCU. Liam Hibbits brought all 3 Rams home via a left field double putting VCU ahead 4-3.
Three more runs in the seventh put the game well out of reach. Steven Carpenter made his way home from third off a sac fly by Alex Taylor. Hunter Vay awaited on third base until Ching hit a single up the middle. Vay ran home and Brown advanced to second after he was walked. Brown made the trip back home to give VCU the 7-3 victory.
Game 3: Hibbits! IT’S GONNNEEE!!!
The rubber match in Game 3 was a no contest as the Black & Gold creamed Davidson 13-1 on Sunday. Ching connected on a double then was brought home by Norwood to get VCU’s offense started in the bottom of the 1st.
VCU lead increased to 4-0 after 2 innings thanks to 3 more runs making the rounds. Amiss, Taylor, and Vay all came home to the delight of their teammates and Coach Shawn Stiffler. Lebek gave Davidson hope with a solo shot out of left field in the top of the 5th.
Liam Hibbits responded with his first two home runs of the season. Hibbits scored his first in the 6th inning with a 3 run blast out of right field. His number was called again in the 8th with Witt on first base. Hibbits read the pitch perfectly and sent the ball flying out of the Diamond for his second homer.
One more run was on deck for VCU in the 8th inning. The bases were loaded for the Rams with 2 outs as Ching stepped into the batter’s box. Ching was walked and Sanchez tapped home base. Norwood got 4 balls on VCU’s next at-bat that brought Amiss home.
Connor Gillispie had a day on the mound for VCU with 10 strikeouts for his second win on the season. VCU is 21-7 overall and 5-1 in A-10 play. The Rams are tied with Saint Joseph’s for second place and sit behind Richmond who are 3-0. VCU starts April on the road at Longwood on Tuesday, April 2nd with a 6 PM start time.
