WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary baseball (20-9, 4-2 CAA) split the season series, 1-1, with VCU (19-10, 2-1 A 10) as the Rams answered the Tribe's road victory from a week before by taking the second meeting, 9-5, as the Tribe's late comeback bid fell flat.
Despite W&M putting the first run on the board, as has been the case in the previous four contests, the Rams had an answer early in the game before Nick Cosentino held it down on the mound for VCU in the middle innings to earn the win.
Picking up a pair of hits and two RBI on the day,
Luca Trigiani led the Tribe's offense, highlighted by a one-out, ninth inning single to deep right field that drove in the final two runs of the game.
Alex Markus made his eighth appearance of the year, tossing a pair of scoreless innings to start and allowing only one hit while notching two strikeouts.
In a strong closing effort,
Brendan Kelly and freshman
Hank Lippman combined to hold the Rams scoreless through the final four innings. Kelly struck out a pair of Rams and allowed only two hits over his three frames. Lippman finished the game for the Tribe with a perfect ninth inning.
Henry Jackson plated the first run of the game, coming across while the Rams made a rundown caught stealing play to end the inning, down 1-0.
After two scoreless to start, the Rams put up a five-spot in the third, but the Tribe cut into the new Rams lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.
Trigiani got on base first for the Tribe in the bottom of the third inning on a double to left before he was driven in by
Jerry Barnes III on an RBI groundout. Adding another,
Ben Parker walked before Delossantos sent a double deep down the right line to score Parker from first base.
The Rams added four more in the fourth and fifth innings, before both teams were held scoreless in six, seven and eight.
Lippman dealt a perfect frame in the top of the ninth, giving the Tribe one last shot at a comeback.
W&M trailed 9-3 entering the bottom of the ninth as Jackson walked,
Nate Goranson was hit by a pitch and
Corey Adams drew another walk to load the bases. Following a pitching change, Trigiani scored Jackson and Goranson on a single to right, bringing the score to 9-5, where it would remain.
The Rams strand two men on base to quell the Tribe's late-inning comeback attempt.
Up Next
W&M will take to the road once again to take on George Washington at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, before continuing their road trip for a CAA series at Monmouth Friday-Sunday, April 5-6.
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