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Baseball Falls to VCU
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March 31, 1998
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth outfielder Mike Tomes hit a two-run triple to key a four-run sixth inning rally and lead the Rams to a 6-3 victory over the University of Virginia baseball team. The victory is VCU’s first in Charlottesville since 1989. Virginia falls to 17-11 on the season, while Virginia Commonwealth improves to 23-8.
After neither team scored in the first three innings, the Cavaliers put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Senior third baseman Brian Sherlock (Medford, N.J.) drew a walk with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third when junior outfielder Javier Lopez (Fairfax, Va.) reached on an error. Senior first baseman Ryan Gilleland (Forest, Va.), senior designated hitter E.J. Anderson (Mechanicsville, Va.) and junior outfielder Julian Gonzalez (Avon Park, Fla.) would all hit an RBI singles in the inning to put the Cavaliers up 3-0.
VCU scored its first run in the top of the fifth, when Ian Caballero reached on a bunt single and came around to score on a wild pitch and an error. The Rams then put four runs on the board in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. Brandon Inge and Jason Dubois both singled to lead off the inning, then Jake Anthony singled to drive in the first run. VCU would tie up the game when Kevin Elrod reached on an error, then Tomes hit a triple to right center field to bring in two more runs and make the score 5-3. The Rams added their final run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Cory Whitby.
Shawn Patterson earned the victory for VCU, throwing 1-2/3 innings of relief and allowing one hit and no runs. Bryan Farkas tossed 3-2/3 scoreless innings to help the Rams hold the lead, before Inge retired the final batter to pick up his seventh save of the year. Freshman lefthander Greg Withelder (Wallingford, Pa.) took the loss for the Cavaliers, despite striking out seven and allowing only two earned runs in five-plus innings.
Virginia returns to action tomorrow, Apr. 1, when it travels to Richmond for a 3:00 p.m. game.
Virginia Commonwealth 6, Virginia 3 R H EVCU (23-8) 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 0 0 - 6 7 1Virginia (17-11) 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 6 4
VCU: Jason Dubois, Shawn Patterson (4), Bryan Farkas (6), Brandon Inge (9) and Cory Bauswell, Cory Whitby (6);
UVa: Greg Withelder, Tommy Keiper (6) and Mark Rueffert; 3B: Mike Tomes (VCU); HR: Cory Whitby (VCU). Win: Patterson (2-0); Loss: Withelder (1-2); Save: Inge (7).