Hempstead, NY - Virginia Commonwealth scored eight runs over the final two innings to break open a 7-6 game en route to a 15-6 win over the Pride Sunday afternoon at University Field. The loss spoiled the grand opening of the Quinn Family Grandstand at University Field and gave VCU the series sweep. The first-place Rams improve to 21-15, 11-1 in the CAA, while Hofstra falls to 10-20, 3-6 in league play.
The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first after Pride starter Jared Rogers recorded the first two outs. The Pride cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning as Matt Prokopowicz led off with a double, moved to third on an infield out and then scored on a Mike Walraven groundout.
The Rams then went up 5-1 after a three-run third inning as Richie Gonzalez led off with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Doug Otto then singled home Gonzalez for a 3-1 lead. Otto would then come in on Joe Van Meter's home run to deep centerfield. The Pride would battle back once again in their half of the inning as freshman Jared Hammer laced a one-out double and came in on Prokopowicz' second double of the game. After a groundout by Kevin Ford moved Prokopowicz to third, Walraven followed with an RBI single to plate Prokopowicz for a 5-3 VCU lead. Walraven then stole second and came in on Ethan Paquette's bloop single to right field to cut the Hofstra deficit to 5-4.
VCU tacked on two runs in the fifth inning as Gonzalez and Otto had back-to-back doubles to score one run. Then a walk to Van Meter prompted Hofstra coach Patrick Anderson to remove Rogers in favor of freshman lefty Joe Burg. After walking his first batter to load the bases, Burg struck out Brent Mikionis for the first out of the inning. He then induced a potential double play ball, but Paul Nice beat the throw to first allowing Otto to score the second run and give the Rams a 7-4 edge.
Hofstra then inched back to within one at 7-6 after scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Hammer lifted a sacrifice fly to score Kevin Flynn, who had reached on an error to start the inning. In the seventh, the Pride put together a two-out rally as Paquette singled to left, John Kenny walked and Flynn was hit by a pitch to load the bases. VCU pitcher Robbie Andrews then walked Jordan Bredehoeft to force in a run, but the Pride could not get another run across.
VCU pulled away in the eighth with thre runs off of the Pride's Matt Watkins. Nice led off with a triple and Taylor Perkins follwoed with a run scoring double. After a walk and a strikeout, Gonzalez doubled in pinch-runner M.L. Morgan for a 9-6 lead. Otto then lifted a sacrifice fly to right for the final run of the inning. In the ninth, the Rams put up five runs with Gregory Fujii knocking in two with a single.
Otto had a big day at the plate for the Rams, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Van Meter had three hits and three RBIs, while Gonzalez also had three hits for the Rams. Brennan Huelse picked up the win, throwing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Prokopowicz, Walraven and Paquette paced the Hofstra offense with two hits each. Walraven knocked in two of Hofstra's six runs as well. Rogers took the loss to fall to 2-5 on the year, allowing seven runs and 10 hits in 4-plus innings of work. The freshman did strikeout four batters and issued just one walk.
Prior to the game, Hofstra held a reception to commemorate the opening of The Quinn Family Grandstand. The 400-seat facility includes a press box and chairback seating. Bruce Quinn, Hofstra Baseball Class of 1986, whose leadership and generosity made the project possible, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Pride return to action on Tuesday when they welcome the Black Knights of Army to University Field. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
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