BOX SCORE

Richmond, VA - Richmond scored seven runs in the third inning, breaking open what was a close game en route to a decisive 17-5 victory over Wagner at Pitt Field. The Seahawks, who won yesterday's ballgame by an 11-9 count, will look to win the rubber game tomorrow at 1:00 pm.

In defeat, the Green & White fall to 2-8 while the Spiders improve to 9-8.

Sophomore Tommy Higgins (Port Monmouth, NJ / Red Bank Catholic) led the way for a 12-hit Wagner attack, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI while junior Kevin McDonnell (Bristol, CT / Avon Old Farms) was 3-for-4 with two stolen bases.

McDonnell has now hit safely in eight-straight games, batting .467 (14-30) during that time.

Richmond struck first for the second-straight day with an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Derek Boliek walked before moving over to second on a passed ball. With two outs and facing a 0-2 count, Billy Barber singled up the middle to plate Boliek.

Wagner tied it up in the top of the second inning with a pair of hits. Higgins got aboard with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Gaby Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Perkiomen (PA)) followed with a double down the first base line, plating Higgins while evening up the score at 1-1.

The Spiders took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning on an Evan Stehle home run. The Seahawks had an opportunity to match or take the lead in the top of the third but squandered a second-and-third, one out situation. From that point it was all Richmond.

In the bottom part of the third, the Spiders scored seven runs while pushing the lead out to a commanding 9-1. Richmond sent 10 batters to the plate while recording six hits and taking advantage of three Wagner miscues. Stehle delivered the big blow with his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to centerfield.

The Spiders scored three more times in the bottom of the fourth before the Green & White momentarily answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Barber then delivered the knockout blow for Richmond, belting a grand slam to left field in the bottom part of the frame as the Spiders won going away 17-5.

Richmond notched 15 hits as every regular hit safely. Barber led the way, going 3-for-4 with a home run, six RBI and three runs while Stehle was 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs.

Redshirt senior RHP Matt Watson (Howell, NJ / Howell) fell to 0-2 on the year, yielding nine runs, seven earned, on eight hits and a pair of walks while striking out three over 3.0 innings. Freshman Dakota Dvorak (Pompano Beach, FL / North Broward Prep) was solid in relief, striking out four while allowing one run over 3.2 innings.

Richmond LHP Matt Zielinski improved to 4-0 on the year, striking out five, against no walks, while allowing three runs, one earned, on eight hits over 6.0 innings.