Box Score / Box Score (PDF)

Richmond, VA - Despite posting season-highs in runs and hits, Wagner dropped an 11-8 decision to VCU in non-conference action at the Diamond.

The Seahawks out-hit the Rams by a 12-8 count and were led by sophomore Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ / Monroe Township), who recorded a career-best matching four hits in five trips to the plate with two runs, a double and a RBI.

VCU opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first inning, only to see Wagner answer with three runs in the top of the second. Junior Chris Smith (Tampa, FL / Freedom / Ellsworth CC) led off with a walk, before Dini moved him to second with a single up the middle. Smith then advanced to third on a fly out, before sophomore Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ / Somerville) was plunked to load the bases. Sophomore Dan Wasilick (Toms River, NJ / Toms River East) tied it up at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly that plated Smith. Sophomore Jason Gordon (Baltimore, MD / Archbishop Curley) broke the deadlock when he laced a double to right field off a 3-2 offering, while plating Dini and Mazurkiewicz in the process.

The Rams responded with four runs in the bottom part of the frame to reclaim the lead at 5-3.

Wagner would continue to chip away, plating a run in the top of the fourth inning, before Dini doubled home senior Nick Alfano (Coral Springs, FL / North Broward Prep), who had led off the fifth with a double of his own, to tie the game up at 5-5.

As was the case all night, VCU immediately answered with a bases loaded walk and a Bill Cullen grand slam in the bottom part of the frame en route to grabbing an insurmountable 10-5 lead.

The Rams would extend the lead out to 11-5 with a run in the bottom of the sixth, before the Seahawks made it interesting in the ninth inning.

With one out, Chris Smith a roped a double to plate Alfano, who had reached via a fielder's choice. Dini followed with his fourth hit of the night. One out later, Mazurkiewicz laced a two-run double that scored Smith and Dini while trimming the deficit to 11-8. Unfortunately, it was not enough as Hunt Absher recorded the final out while helping VCU improve to 10-3.

Alfano and Chris Smith each recorded a pair of hits while combining with Dini to go 8-of-14 with six runs, three doubles and two RBI at the plate to lead the way for the Seahawks (2-9). Gordon and Mazurkiewicz added two RBI apiece, rounding out the top performers for the Green & White.

Sophomore RHP Connor Smith (West Caldwell, NJ / James Caldwell) fell to 0-2 on the year, allowing five runs over 3.0 innings.

Righty Seth Greene (1-0) earned the win, allowing two runs, one earned, over 5.0 strong innings of relief while Cullen went 1-for-3 with a home run and five RBI, leading the way for the Rams.

Wagner returns to action on Friday, March 15 at 3:00 pm against La Salle in the Big 5 Baseball Bash.