Baseball Splits Doubleheader at VCU

Friday, May 3

Richmond, VA

2 p.m.

George Washington University

24-21, 7-9

VCU

28-17, 10-6

George Washington

VCU

Baseball Dugout va. Saint Louis (4/27/24)

5/3/2024 10:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RICHMOND, Va. – After Sunday's contest was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader with VCU on Friday, the two teams split the pair of contests to open the weekend series in Richmond. The Rams secured a 6-2 victory in game one, while GW got its revenge in a high-scoring game two, 12-8. The split moves GW to 25-21 on the year with an 8-9 mark in the Atlantic 10.

GAME ONE

Both offenses started slow to open the game, failing to put up any runs in the first two frames. In the third, VCU's bats came alive with three runs, then added another in the fourth. GW's offensive struggles continued into the middle innings, tallying just three hits through the first six innings. VCU added to its lead with another run in the sixth inning before GW starter Teddy Brennan exited for Andrew Cutler out of the 'pen. Cutler put together a solid showing for the Buff & Blue, throwing the final 2.2 innings and only allowing one earned run the rest of the way.

GW got its first run of the day in the seventh inning courtesy of an RBI fielder's choice from Sam Gates. Scoring on the play was McGwire Tuffy. An inning later, Brett Young ripped a solo home run to right field but that would be GW's final run of the first game. Gates led the GW offense as the only player to record multiple hits in the contest. Steve DiTomaso, Nick Mullen, Alexander Wright, Young and Tuffy were the other Revolutionaries to get in the box score with a hit.

GAME TWO

Similar to game one, VCU jumped out to another quick lead with three runs across the second and third innings. However, the Rams couldn't keep the Buff & Blue bats quite in the nightcap as the Revolutionaries ripped off five runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead, the team's first advantage of the day. Ellis Schwartz got things started for the GW Revs, drawing a bases loaded walk to score DiTomaso. Later in the inning, Robbie Wacker singled to left field to score Young and Robbie Lavey. The inning was capped by Tuffy, who recorded two RBI on a double to right field.

VCU scored two of its own in the fourth to tie the contest at five, but GW immediately recaptured the lead with four more runs in the fifth. Lavey tallied a sacrifice fly to score Gates, while Schwartz followed it up with an RBI double to score DiTomaso. Tuffy found himself collecting another RBI later in the inning, grounding out to the pitcher to score Schwartz from third and extend the GW lead to 9-5.

VCU once again managed to get a run back in the fifth, but GW extended its lead to six with three runs in the eighth. With runners on the corners, GW played the double steal to perfection, scoring Gates from third and safely advancing DiTomaso to second. DiTomaso's single earlier in the frame was significant as it moved him into third on GW's all-time hits leaderboard. DiTomaso now has 282 career hits in his five-year GW career, passing Joey Bartosic who recorded 281 during his time in Foggy Bottom. Mike Bassett is next on DiTomaso's hunt for the top. Bassett ranks second in program history with 290.

Following DiTomaso's historic hit and Gates run, GW got more offense from Schwartz, who reached first on an RBI fielder's choice. One batter later, Tim Nicholson single to right field, scoring Lavey and giving GW its 12^th run of the game. The Rams wouldn't go away quietly, tallying two runs in the ninth inning, but GW's pitching staff shut down all hopes of a comeback to secure the 12-8 win.

Jarrett Korson earned the start for GW, tossing two innings and allowing three earned runs. Brandon Siegenthaler entered in the third for GDUB and provided three solid innings in relief. Siegenthaler allowed one earned run and picked up the victory. He now sits at 5-2 on the season. Benny Wilson tossed the last four innings for the Revolutionaries, securing his fourth save and allowing one earned run on the outing. DiTomaso, Lavey and Tuffy each turned in multi-hit games for GW with Tuffy recording three RBI in the process. Schwartz and Wacker both notched three RBI apiece as well.

GW returns to action tomorrow for the series rubber match at 2:00 p.m. The contest will be carried live on ESPN+.