VCU rallied in the late innings, scoring two crucial runs to clinch a 4-2 victory over Saint Joseph's during Monday's Atlantic 10 Tournament first-round showdown at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va.
As a result of this defeat, the Hawks find themselves relegated to the losers' bracket, gearing up for an elimination clash against No. 6 UMass on Tuesday.
VCU wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping ahead early in the game by launching two solo homers in the opening inning against Hawks starter Domenic Picone. However, Saint Joseph's quickly retaliated. In the third inning, Ryan Weingartner smashed a solo shot, injecting new life into the game. This momentum continued in the fourth inning when Ryan Picollo delivered a clutch RBI double, evening the score at 2-2.
Undeterred, the Rams rallied in the latter stages of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, they orchestrated a run with a sacrifice fly from Cooper Benzin, propelling them to a 3-2 lead. Building on this momentum, VCU solidified their position in the eighth inning with a decisive single by Eli Weisner, extending their lead to 4-2.
Colin Yablonski was charged with two runs on two hits in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Picone surrendered two runs on four hits and struck out five in four and two-thirds innings.
The Hawks were swept by UMass in a three-game series in Amherst last month.
