WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary defeated Richmond 4-3 Friday evening at Plumeri Park behind solid outings from
Wade Strain and a quartet of bullpen arms. Strain went 6.1 innings allowing two runs to earn his third win of the season while
Jack Cone threw a clean ninth to record his second save of 2021.
The Tribe wasted no time getting on the board after Strain delivered a scoreless first inning. In the bottom half,
Ben Williamson shot a single up the middle and scored as
Matt McDermott cranked a double that one-hopped the wall in left center giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Williamson's single extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Richmond threatened in the top of the third inning as a walk and a single produced runners on second and third with just one out, but Strain induced a pop up and a fly out to keep the Spiders off the board.
In the fourth, Matt Trehub would lace a two-strike double down the left field line to start a rally for the Green and Gold.
Mark Trotta and
Matt Thomas both walked to load the bases and a
Phil Conti walk would plate Trehub.
Ben Williamson would follow with a bases loaded walk to push home Trotta and extend the lead to 3-0.
The Spiders would finally get to Strain in the fifth taking advantage of a leadoff walk from Johnny Hipsman. Hipsman would score on a two-out triple from Wyatt Ulrich but the Tribe starter was able to limit the damage, keeping the score 3-1.
The Tribe would get the run back in the bottom half of the fifth as Trotta laced a single through the left side of the infield to plate
David Hogarth.
In the top of the seventh, Richmond plated a run behind a trio of singles. With two men on and one out
Matt Howat relieved Strain and got a strikeout and ground out to preserve a two run lead for W&M.
Richmond would strike again in the eight as Chris Rinaldi would single and steal second before scoring on a two-out hit from Jared Sprague-Lott. With two men on,
Justin Pearson entered the game and forced a fly out to keep the Tribe on top, 4-3.
William & Mary had a chance to extend the lead in the eight but the Tribe was unable to capitalize on Thomas' double to deep right.
Jack Cone left his spot in center field and took the mound in the top of the ninth. Cone was dominant earning his second save of the season putting the Spiders down in order with a punch out and a pair of ground outs to preserve the 4-3 win.
The Tribe and the Spiders will both have Saturday off before concluding the three-game set Sunday in Richmond. First pitch for the double-billing is set for 11:00 a.m.
