WILLIAMSBURG, VA.- A big sixth inning was the difference as the Tribe downed VCU 13-12 in a wild midweek game Tuesday evening at Plumeri Park. It was the Green and Gold's ninth win in the last 10 contests and the fourth straight midweek win. 
 
The teams traded blows early and the Tribe 9-8 entering the sixth before putting up a five spot to take a 13-9 lead. The team would hold on late to take home the 13-12 win. 
 
Ben Williamson had three hits and knocked in three runs, while Lucas Carmichael had a pair of knocks and scored three times. Luke Smith and Jerry Barnes III also added two hits. 
 
Bobby McDonough picked up his first collegiate win, tossing a scoreless sixth inning and Carter Lovasz earned his fifth save of the season striking out three over the final three frames. 
 
VCU struck in the top of the first, capitalizing on William & Mary miscues. Two men reached on free passes from Nate Knowles but the Tribe had a chance to get out of the inning unscathed but could not convert a double play ball which led to a Jake Thilges three-run homer. 
 
William & Mary answered in the bottom half as a pair of walks and a Williamson single would load the bases. Carmichael scored on a Nick Lottchea sac fly and Ben Williamson scored on a double steal with Nate Goranson. Smith came up with a big two-out single to left to score Goranson and tie the game at 3-3. 
 
The game would not be tied long as Logan Amiss hit a towering solo homer to lead off the second. Once again, the Tribe would answer back in the bottom half. Barnes got things started with a double down the left field line and came home on Carmichael's RBI single. The Green and Gold took the lead as Carmichael scored on a wild pitch. 
 
A two-out rally gave the Tribe breathing room in the bottom of the third as Noah Zertuche singled between Barnes and Carmichael walks to load the bases. Williamson shot a double off the wall in right center plating all three runners. 
 
VCU punched back in the fourth to take the lead. The Rams scored five runs on five hits to capture a 9-8 edge. After a shutdown inning from McDonough, William & Mary would strike with two outs to take the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. 
 
With the bases loaded and two down, Barnes shot a single up the middle to score Joe Delossantos and Nick Lotthchea. Moments later Tank Yaghoubi would come off the bench with a pinch hit single to score Smith and pinch runner Cole Ragone. Another run would come across as Delossantos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 13-9 Tribe. 
 
Nic Ericsson cut into the Tribe lead with a solo homer in the top of the seventh. VCU plated a pair runs in the ninth on four singles but Lovasz was able to strand the tying run at second and secure the save. 
 
Up Next: The Tribe will look to win its fourth straight CAA series this weekend as conference-leader Elon comes to Williamsburg for three games at Plumeri Park beginning Friday evening.