RAMS COMPLETE SWEEP OVER PIONEERS IN FINALE
2-27-05
VCU 13, Sacred Heart 4
PETERSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth Rams scored 12 of their runs in two innings on Sunday to secure the sweep over Sacred Heart, 13-4. Sophomore John Leonard (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) tossed six complete innings, striking out five to earn his first win of the season.
The Rams worked together as a team to take the first series between the two schools. VCU registered six runs in the first inning to quickly take a 6-0 lead. VCU tabbed four single hits and three Pioneer errors assisted the Rams movement around the bases in the bottom of the first.
Sacred Heart added two runs in the second inning and recorded three hits. The next three innings were kept scoreless between both teams. In the fifth, Barrett Ripley (Glen Allen, Va./Hermitage) (left) sent Pete Farina (West Los Angeles, Calif./University H.S.) home on a single through the right side to increase the lead, 7-2.
The Rams secured the victory when they plated six more runners in the seventh. VCU placed four batters on base before the first out was called, including a run when SHU’s Chris Howard walked in a run. Kwan Evans (Hampton, Va./Bethel) drove in his second run on his second sacrifice fly to centerfield. Junior Joe Meador (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee Davis) (right) and Sergio Miranda (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/PRBA) hit back-to-back doubles, each earning a RBI.
The Rams out hit the Pioneers, 11-7 in Game 3 and 34-15 over the three-game series. The Rams also registered six stolen bases during the course of the game. Marcus Davis (Luray, Va./Luray), Mick Mattaliano (Pottstown, Pa./Saint Pius X) and Wayne Renfrow (Virginia Beach, Va./Louisburg College) each saw an inning on the mound for the Rams. Chris Aldrich started for the Pioneers and tossed 4.0 innings, while Howard and Chris Vartuli pitched 2.0 innings apiece. Sacred Heart fell to 0-3 on the season.
VCU improved to 6-3 on the season with the sweep. The Black and Gold will visit Longwood on Tuesday, Mar. 1. The game is schedule to begin at 2:00 p.m. in Farmville, Va.
