Losing streak hits 10 with loss to Dayton

The University of Richmond's baseball team lost its 10th game in a row as the Spiders fell to the University of Dayton 17-5.

The game was tied at two going into the fifth inning before the Flyers got back-to-back home runs from Cole Tyrell and Jonathan Castine to give Dayton a 5-2 lead. Jacob Spaeth added a two-out RBI single to give Dayton a 6-2 lead headed into the bottom of the fifth.

"Dayton did a good job of taking us out of the game early," Richmond shortstop Victor Croglio said.

Richmond would score two runs during the bottom of the fifth inning to try and come back. Matt Zink brought home a run with his groundout to second and Mike Mergenthaler hit a RBI single to right field to bring the Spiders to 6-4.

But during the final three innings, Dayton outscored Richmond 11-1 to close out the game. Six of those runs came off of closer Brian Alas, who came into the game in the seventh inning.

"We brought in our closer early today to give us a chance," Richmond manager Mark McQueen said. "It just didn't work out."

Dayton jumped out early to a 2-0 lead during the first inning off of Richmond starter Matt Zielinski. Aaron Dunsmore started off the scoring with a RBI single that plated Spaeth. Tyrell added a RBI groundout to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead.

Richmond was able to tie the game during the bottom of the second. Catcher Evan Stehle hit a RBI single to right field that drove home Ryan Metzroth. Chris Cowell also scored on that play when Dayton right fielder Dunsmore committed an error trying to field the ball.

Richmond only scored in three innings as Dayton starting pitcher Quinn Hasselhorst pitched seven and one-third solid innings, giving up only five runs, four of which were earned. Sean Finn and Chris Beesley held Richmond scoreless over the final inning and two-thirds.

Richmond struggled on the mound, giving up 17 runs, which is the most since a 24-9 loss at the University of Massachusetts on March 22. Zielinski lasted only four and two-thirds innings and gave up six runs, but only three earned. Ian Marshall, Alas, and Jay Joines combined to give up 11 runs in three innings, which allowed Dayton to seal the game.

"We need to keep our starting pitchers in longer," McQueen said.

During the 10-game losing streak, no Richmond starting pitcher has lasted past the fifth inning. The team is not allowing for the losing streak to dampen their spirits.

"We know what we can do," Croglio said. "There's no doubt in my mind that we can turn [our season] around."

If the Spiders are in position to win the game during the series finale tomorrow, Alas, Richmond's all-time saves leader, will be able to pitch even though he threw 46 pitches during the game, McQueen said.

Contact staff writer Andrew Prezioso at andrew.prezioso@richmond.edu