Spider Sports Recap | Week of March 13

Editors note: Claire Le Du is a writer for The Collegian.

Baseball 

March 13: Loss 8-3 vs. Princeton University 

After winning five of their last seven games heading into play, the University of Richmond baseball team’s efforts were unsuccessful against the Tigers, falling short 8-3 to start the week. The Tigers were on top early, leading 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. Junior third baseman/shortstop Jared Sprague-Lott was able to cut the deficit to three runs as he picked up two RBIs on a double in the inning. The Spiders were only down one run after redshirt junior centerfielder Alden Mathes scored in the bottom of the fifth, but the Tigers pulled ahead in the eighth with three more runs. 

March 15: Loss 7-5 vs. Longwood University 

After a loss to Princeton, the Spiders traveled to Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Once again, the Spiders found themselves down early on, trailing by four runs heading into inning four, but the Spiders eventually turned on the offense, picking up a run in the top of the fourth after first-year third baseman Jordan Jaffe singled and came around to score and then four additional runs in inning seven. However, the Spiders were held scoreless in the remaining innings and could not match Longwood’s late three-run offensive output. Despite the loss, UR totaled 10 hits on the afternoon. Redshirt junior catcher Zach Lass led the way, going 3 for 4 at the plate. Sophomore first baseman Jake Elbeery knocked in four RBIs. 

March 18: Double-header vs. Siena College

After two straight losses, the Spiders opened up the series against Siena College with two victories in a doubleheader. UR won the first game 6-0 and the second game 5-1. In the first game, four Spiders had two hits apiece and junior shortstop Mikey Kluska hit a home run. Graduate pitcher Brock Weirather pitched eight shutout innings and threw seven strikeouts. In the second game, the Spiders won in a similar fashion, this time allowing just one run from the Saints. Elbeery went 2 for 4 from the plate and redshirt senior left fielder Johnny Hipsman notched two RBIs. Graduate pitcher Brenden Argomaniz picked up the win on the day and sophomore relief pitcher Esteban Rodriguez threw for six strikeouts.

March 19: Win vs. Siena College

The Spiders kept their win streak alive with another win over Siena College to finish out the three-game series at Pitt Field. UR started strong offensively, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Spiders went on to score six runs and four runs in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, and after one more run in inning six, the game was called by way of a mercy rule. On the day, four Spiders had more than one hit and Elbeery led the way, going 3 for 3 and knocking in two RBIs. Pitching-wise, the Spiders allowed zero runs from the Saints and graduate pitcher Kyle Subers picked up the win with his six strikeouts. UR’s next game is home against Towson University at 2:30 p.m. March 22. 

Women’s Tennis 

March 14: Loss 5-2 vs. the University of the Pacific

After a loss against Stephen F. Austin State University March 8, the Spiders lost 5-2 at the Westhampton Tennis Complex, playing against the University of the Pacific. The only victorious Spiders on the day were first-year Elizabeth Novak, who won in singles play 7-5 then 6-3, and senior Marta Buendia, who defeated her singles opponent 6-3 then 7-6. Junior Carly Cohen and first-year Lara Bakhaya’s doubles match went unfinished. 

March 18: Loss 5-2 vs. Virginia Commonwealth University 

In the women’s tennis team’s first Atlantic 10 conference match of the year, the Rams bested the Spiders 5-2 at the Westhampton Tennis Complex. This was the Spiders’ fifth loss in a row, dating back to their 6-1 loss against Southern Methodist University March 5. Novak and redshirt sophomore Claire Le Du both won their singles matches in three sets. Juniors Andrea Campodonico and Polina Shitikova won in doubles play 6-3. The Spiders’ record sits at 4-11 overall and the team’s next match is away against Elon University at 2 p.m. March 26. 

Women’s Lacrosse

March 15: Win 16-15 vs. the University of Virginia 

After a tough 22-12 loss against A10 opponent University of Massachusetts March 11, the Spiders defeated the 10th-ranked Cavaliers in an evening game at the Robins Center March 15. The score fluctuated throughout gameplay, and at the end of regulation, the score was tied 15-15. In the first overtime period, neither squad could break the tie, which forced a second overtime period. In the six-minute double overtime period, senior attacker Arden Tierney scored, giving the unranked Spiders a win over the Cavaliers. Senior midfielder Lindsey Frank led the way with four goals. Tierney had two goals in addition to her game-winning goal, and sophomores attacker Colleen Quinn and midfielder Grace Muldoon each had three goals as well. 

March 18: Win 12-9 vs. VCU 

The Spiders extended their win streak to two games at home against crosstown rival VCU. This was their first A10 Conference victory after losing their first against UMass. The Spiders scored three goals early, giving UR the lead out of the gates. But, VCU kept it close, only trailing by one at halftime, and eventually pulled ahead of UR in quarter three. The Spiders ultimately took back the lead after some tied scores and won by three goals. Frank scored four goals in her second straight game and junior attacker Ali Susskind and Quinn each had three goals. Quinn also had three assists. UR’s next game is at home against George Mason University at 7 p.m. March 22. 

Women’s Basketball 

March 16: Win 75-52 vs. the University of Pennsylvania 

After winning two games in the A10 Tournament against Dayton University and UMass in Wilmington, DE, the Spiders were selected to play in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). In the first round of the WNIT, the Spiders emerged victorious, defeating the Quakers by 23 points at the Robins Center. Through one quarter of play, the Spiders had established themselves offensively, shooting 62.5% from 3-point range and leading the Quakers 21-11. At halftime, the Spiders increased their lead and finished the second quarter ahead of UPenn by 16 points, 40-24. At times in the second half, UR increased led by as many as 29 points and ultimately won the game 75-52. Junior forward Addie Budnik led the way, scoring 23 points in the contest. First-year forward Maggie Doogan was not far behind as she scored 18 points and grabbed 13 boards. 

Track and Field 

March 17: Fred Hardy Invitational

For the track and field team’s inaugural outdoor track event, UR hosted the Fred Hardy Invitational March 17. Prior to the events, UR honored its 13 seniors on the team. To highlight the day, five Spiders placed in the top 10 in the women’s 1500m event. Juniors Madison Trippett and Elizabeth Stockman placed second and fifth, respectively, first-year Allison Colflesh placed seventh, sophomore Dylan Miller placed eighth and first-year Brooke Reif finished in ninth place. For the men’s 1500m, seniors Jake Schindel and Riley Fletcher and first-year William Marhold all placed in the top 20 of the event. First-year Nina Lavelle was the only Spider who competed in the 100m dash event and finished second among 21 fellow sprinters. Other first place finishes on the day included junior Jordan Bendura, who came in first in the men’s 5k and senior Kayla O’Connell, graduate student Kyra Keurentjes, sophomore Virginia Beringer and Lavelle secured first place in the 4x400 relay. UR’s next event will take place at the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State University from March 23-25. 

Men’s Tennis 

March 17: Win 4-3 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville 

The UR men’s tennis team played UNC Asheville in Asheville, NC and defeated the Bulldogs 4-3. In doubles play, junior Alaister Burke and first-year Mark Taranov were the only pairing to win, defeating their opponents in two sets. In singles play, juniors Daniel Kliebhan and Sebastian Miano, first-year Davis Wiley and graduate student John Walsh all won their respective matches. 

March 18: Loss 5-1 at Furman University 

After an away victory, the men’s tennis team traveled to Greenville, South Carolina and lost to Furman University 5-1. In doubles play, the Spiders were unsuccessful as two pairings lost their matches and the other pairing’s match was unfinished. In singles play, Miano was the only Spider to emerge victorious, defeating his opponent in two sets. UR’s record stands at 9-5 overall and the team’s next match is at Longwood University March 23. 

Women’s Golf

March 17-March 19: 7th place at Low Country Intercollegiate 

In their first tournament since late February, the women’s golf team finished in seventh place out of 19 schools competing amidst rainy conditions at the Low Country Intercollegiate tournament in Hilton Head Island, SC. On the final day of the tournament, UR collectively shot a 308 (+20). Junior Rory Weinfurther had a final score of +7 and led the Spiders, finishing in a tie for third place individually on the weekend. The team will next play at the Ironwood Invitational in Greenville, NC. from April 3 to April 4.