Rams dominate Highlanders in win
The VCU Rams improved their record to 6-5 when they beat Radford Sunday at The Diamond, in a game marked by the Black and Gold setting record highs. In the series finale of a three game set, the home team matched a record for hits, 21, set April 17, 2004 against Towson and would end the game at 23.
The VCU Rams improved their record to 6-5 when they beat Radford Sunday at The Diamond, in a game marked by the Black and Gold setting record highs. In the series finale of a three game set, the home team matched a record for hits, 21, set April 17, 2004 against Towson and would end the game at 23. Radford, whose record fell to 3-7, collected only 11 hits. Additionally, the Rams set a season record for most runs scored, dominating Radford’s pitching, with the final outcome, 18-7.
The Score
VCU 18
RADFORD 7
Starting pitcher Cody Eppley (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) pitched six strong innings collecting four strikeouts. The rams trailed in the first when Radford scored a single run. After a first inning of pressure by the Highlanders, Eppley gained confidence and threw more first pitch strikes.
“I feel really comfortable with the defense behind me, I started settling down and settling in, I got into a good rhythm.” said Eppley. “You always go into a game expecting to outperform your opponent, I was very happy with my outing.” Radford’s starting pitcher, Eric Evans, lasted only 2.2 innings before being relieved.
VCU hoped to come back in the first when leadoff hitter Matthew Leskiw (Plains, Pa. /James) reached first when hit by a pitch, but was left on base at the end of the inning. The Rams would have to wait until the second inning to be sparked. In the second, with two outs, Trai Harris (Newport News, Va./Woodside) reached first after beating the throw from Radford shortstop Rock Weiss. Carlos Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/PRBA) then hit to put runners on the corners. Richard Gonzalez (Puerto Rico/PRBA) got on base with a hit, and two runs scored on an error. Liskiw, Kwan Evans (Hampton, Va./Bethel), and Sergio Miranda (Puerto Rico/PRBA) also contributed to the Rams seven run second inning, which put VCU on top for the rest of the game.
Radford answered with two runs in the third, which VCU got back in the bottom half with a runner scored on an error and an RBI from Leskiw. Eppley pitched scoreless fourth, fifth and sixth innings. “I could have gone one more inning, but with the cold weather the coach took me out to prevent an injury,” said Eppley. Aaron Morgan (Sutherland, Va./Dinwiddie) pitched the seventh and got charged with three runs.
Brad Bonney (Norfolk, Va./Maury) went two for two after replacing John Leonard (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) and drove in four RBI. In his first at bat, Bonney collected his second home run on the season and drove in two runners. Bonney then collected his next two RBI on a double in the bottom of the eighth. “Last year I sat on the bench, now I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity. As the Pinch Hitter, I’m just trying to make a big hit,” said Bonney.
VCU pitching closed out with two scoreless innings from Mick Mattaliano (Pottstown, Pa./Saint Pius X) and Luke Pisker (Oley, Pa./Varina) who pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. The Rams will continue to play ball in hopes of improving their record in a home game on Tuesday against Virginia Tech at 4 p.m.