BOX SCORE

Richmond, VA – In a game that featured 17 errors, 27 runners left on base and 401 totals pitches it was only fitting that junior Brian Martutartus (Carlsbad, CA / La Costa Canyon), Wagner's number 9 hitter, provided the heroics with a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning in lifting the Green & White to an 11-9 come-from-behind victory over Richmond at Pitt Field.

The Seahawks improved to 2-7 on the year while the Spiders fall to 8-8 with game two of the teams' three-game set slated for tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

Wagner's offense recorded its 11 runs on 13 hits as eight regulars batted safely, including four that notched at least two hits. Martutartus led the way, going 3-for-6 with a double, home run, three RBI, two stolen bases and two runs. Freshman Gaby Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Perkiomen (PA)) was 2-for-4 with his first collegiate double and home run while driving in three runs and scoring twice. Senior Vin Avella (Matawan, NJ / CBA) was 2-3 with a home run and three RBI while reaching base safely in five of his six plate appearances (2 walks, 1 HBP). Junior Jon Lucas (Hackettstown, NJ / Hackettstown) also had a pair of hits in five official at-bats.

Richmond opened the scoring with a Billy Barber three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.

Wagner got one of the runs back in the top of the third inning. Junior Jared Gruccio (Landisville, NJ / Buena Regional) laced a double to left center with one out before moving over to third on a Lucas ground out. Avella plated Gruccio with a two-out RBI single through the left side, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

The Spiders pushed the lead back out to three at 4-1 with a tally in the bottom part of the frame.

Ramirez immediately answered with a solo shot to left center leading off the top of the fourth inning.

In the top of the fifth, the Seahawks assumed their first lead of the game while scoring three times. Avella was hit by a pitch leading off the frame. Following a ground out, junior Seth Boyd (Perth Amboy, NJ / Perth Amboy) walked on four-straight pitches. Ramirez picked up the pair, crushing a double to the right center gap, plating Avella and Boyd while tying the game up at 4-4 and chasing Richmond starter RHP Billy Falasco. Reliever RHP Jared Bard retired Logan via a strikeout before Martutartus hit a high pop up that was lost in the sun before dropping for a base hit. On the play, Ramirez scored from second base while giving the Seahawks their first lead of the game at 5-4.

In the top of the sixth inning the Green & White added to the lead with an unearned run. Lucas singled to the first baseman, aided by a tough in-between hop, with one out. After a walk, junior Kevin McDonnell (Bristol, CT / Avon Old Farms) hit a ground ball that the third baseman threw into right center field, allowing Lucas to score.

In the bottom part of the frame, Wagner reliever LHP Jack Rice (Middlesex, NJ / Immaculata) was aided by a trio of outstanding defensive plays. Senior Damian Csakai (Freehold Township, NJ / Freehold Township) made an over-the-shoulder grab in center field for the first out before corralling a line drive thanks to getting an excellent jump. Boyd capped the frame with a full-extension grab of a line drive off the bat of Barber.

Richmond reclaimed the lead at 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning on Phil Ruzbarsky's first home run of the year, a three-run shot off the scoreboard in left center.

The Green & White immediately answered in the top of the eighth inning with a two-run two-out opposite field home run off the bat of Avella. The blast added to the Garden State native's team-leading home run (5) and RBI (18) totals.

Taking to the back-and-forth theme, the Spiders scratched out a pair of unearned runs en route to grabbing a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Wagner rallied to tie the game up at 9-9 in the top of the ninth with an unearned run of their own. With one out, Martutartus hit a bloop double over the first baseman's head. Csakai then set a school record when he was hit by a pitch for the 33rd time in his career, besting Jack Scholz's 17-year record of 32. Gruccio followed with what appeared to be a game-ending double play, but the Richmond first baseman misplayed the throw while allowing Martutartus to score and tie the game up at 9-9.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, junior LHP David Rees (Staten Island, NY / Xavier) worked around a two-out error to send the game into overtime.

With one out in the top of the 10th inning, Boyd reached via a two-base Richmond error and moved over to third base on a Ramirez sacrifice bunt. Richmond reliever Alex Maffett induced a routine grounder while stranding Boyd at third for the second out. Martutartus picked up Boyd with his first home run of the year, a two-run blast to left center while providing the game's final 11-9 score.

Rees (2-1) closed out the game with a scoreless bottom of the 10th. The crafty lefthander fired a career-high 3.0 innings with two strikeouts, allowing just two unearned runs on one hit and two walks. Shawn O'Neil (1-1) took the loss for the Spiders.

Cameron Brown, Chris Cowell and Ruzbarsky each recorded multiple-hits, leading the way for Richmond.