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April 17, 2002

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Virginia baseball team rallied for threeruns in the top of the ninth and a run in the 10th to steal a 12-11 winagainst the 19th-ranked University of Richmond Spiders at Pitt Field. UVasenior David Stone earned the game-winning RBI when he was hit with thebases loaded in the extra frame. The Cavaliers’ comeback gives UVa its thirdwin over a ranked opponent this season and breaks Virginia’s four-game losing streak.

With the game tied 8-8 going into the bottom of the eighth, Richmond (33-5)struck for three runs from the top of the lineup to take an 11-8 lead.Center fielder Bryan Pritz opened the frame with a double to right and stolethird. The sophomore broke the tie when the Virginia catcher launched theball into left field. After an out, sophomore Matt Craig walked and stolesecond. Junior Vito Chiaravalloti was beaned before sophomore Adam Tidballlaced a double into left field that scored Craig. Chiaravalloti gave thehome squad a three-run advantage when he came home on an errant throw byVirginia pitcher Gabe Spooner as he was attempting to intentionally walk JimFasano.

The Cavaliers (20-19) answered with three runs in the ninth to tie the game.Catcher Andrew Riesenfeld was hit and lifted for a pinch runner. ShawnMcCleary delivered a double to center that moved Riesenfeld to third. AMatt Street pinch-hit single scored Paul Gillespie and McCleary came home ona David Stone double. Street tied the game on a David Street single toright. With nobody out, Richmond left-hander Nathan Kuchta emerged andprovided a strikeout and a 5-2-3 double play to end the threat. Dan Streetfinished the game 5-5 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Virginia scored the game-winning run in the 10th when Spider reliever JungWi hit Stone with the bases loaded. The Spiders would not go down without afight. With two outs in the last of the 10th, Richmond advanced runners tofirst and second on two walks. Pinch hitter Mike Gula hit a rope down theleft field line where left fielder Stone made a leaping catch to preservethe win.

Junior Ty Collins (1-1) earned the win for Virginia after working the final2.1 innings of shutout baseball. Richmond’s Kuchta (0-1) suffered the lossafter allowing one run in 1.0 innings.

The loss could not mask an outstanding hitting display from Craig. Theshort stop went 4-5 with six RBI and three runs scored. His pair of two-runhomers helped Richmond climb back into the game after trailing 5-0. Pritzand Tidball stroked three hits for the Spiders. Junior David Reaver tiedRichmond’s all-time hit streak (31 games) with his infield single in thefirst.

Virginia will return to action on Thursday, April 18th when UVa travels toSalem, Va. to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in a non-conference game on aneutral site. The Cavaliers and Hokies are scheduled to play at 7:00 p.m.at the Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium.

– UVa –

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