May 4, 2003

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

Richmond, Va. ? Virginia Commonwealth's pitching staff allowed just one run in two games, as the Rams took a pair of contests from George Mason Sunday night at The Diamond. VCU posted a 9-1 win in the first game of the doubleheader, and a 3-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Rams came out on fire offensively in the first inning of game one, scoring six runs off GMU starter Chris Murray. With two outs and the bases loaded, Murray hit VCU catcher Jeff Parrish to force in the first run of the game. Designated hitter Joe Meador followed with a two run single to right, and right fielder Jose Pabon doubled in two more. Center fielder Eric Latura , who led off the inning being hit by a pitch, then singled to right field to give the Rams a 6-0 lead.

That was all the support VCU starter Justin Orenduff would need. Orenduff allowed just one run in 6.1 innings of work to improve to 7-3 on the season, and junior lefty Brian Marshall pitched the final 2.2 innings, striking out five.

In game two, the bottom of the first again gave VCU all the runs it would need. With two outs, third baseman Anthony Granato singled up the middle. Pabon then smoked a hard line drive to medium right field that GMU's Bruce Baldwin charged, but lost in the lights, and the ball got past him and rolled to the wall. Pabon circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run and a 2-0 VCU lead.

Rams game two starter Sean Marshall would do the rest himself. He allowed just four hits in seven innings ? all singles ? and fanned 12 Patriots in improving his record to 6-2 on the season.

With the victories, VCU improves to 36-11 overall, 16-3 in CAA games. George Mason falls to 27-17 overall, 9-7 in the CAA. The three game series concludes tomorrow (May 5), with first pitch at The Diamond set for 1:00 p.m.