March 6, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Commonwealth University scored seven runs during the first two innings, then rode a strong pitching performance by senior John Leonard to a 9-4 baseball victory over Virginia Tech at The Diamond on Tuesday.

The Rams (7-5) jumped to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against Tech starting pitcher Casey Herald (Tazewell, Va.). VCU first baseman Jared Bolden drove in the first run with a single, while the second run came home on a failed pickoff attempt that resulted in a throwing error. Designated hitter Nathan Furry singled home the third run of the inning.

VCU chased Herald in the second inning, scoring four runs before Scott Stoehr came on in relief with one out. A Tech fielding error opened the inning and the Rams went on to load the bases with one out. Sergio Miranda then delivered a two-run double and Bolden followed with a single to bring home two more runs.

Leonard, who started on the mound for the Rams, gave up a single to Tech second baseman Matt Hacker (Richmond, Va.) with one out in the top of the first inning and then retired the next 15 batters he faced before allowing a single by freshman catcher Anthony Sosnoskie (Front Royal, Va.) with one out in the sixth. Leonard allowed just two base runners in his six innings before turning things over to the bullpen in the seventh.

The Rams' bullpen retired the Hokies in order in the seventh and eighth before Tech used three hits to score four runs in the ninth. A one-out walk to pinch-hitter Adam Redd (Dumfries, Va.) got Tech started in the ninth. Nate Clark (Gate City, Va.), who took over for Hacker at second base in seventh inning, moved Redd to third with a single to right and took second on the throw to third base. A sacrifice fly by designated hitter Bryan Thomas (Wilmington, N.C.) scored Redd, and then first baseman Sean O'Brien (Chappaqua, N.Y.) tripled home Clark. Tech right fielder Jose Cueto (Miami, Fla.) followed with a two-run homer to left field before the Rams got shortstop Warren Schaeffer (Vandergrift, Pa.) to ground out to end the game.

Leonard had five strikeouts and did not walk a batter. He improved to 2-0 on the season with the win. Herald is now 1-1 after taking the loss. Tech's bullpen held VCU to just four hits and two runs (one earned) over the final seven innings of the game.

Tech is scheduled to return to action on Wednesday at the University of Richmond. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. at Pitt Field.