Spiders still perfect, defeat Iona for second straight day

The Spiders put on another offensive show Saturday morning, defeating the Iona College Gaels 15-4 at Pitt Field, led by senior captain Ryan Metzroth, who hit his team-leading third home run.

During Friday's game, the Spiders dominated The Gaels from the outset, but Saturday morning brought a different Iona club. The Gaels took a 3-1 lead in the third inning, the Spiders took the lead in the fourth and the Gaels tied it in the fifth.

Then Metzroth came to bat.

"They had just tied the game in the fifth inning," Metzroth said. "I was just trying to get the ball in play, but he left the ball up and got a good swing on it."

The ball bounced off of a car, three rows back in X-lot behind the right center-field wall. The home run marked a turning point in the game, breaking the rhythm of Gaels starting pitcher Anthony Castellitto, who had done well keeping the Spiders' big bats at bay through five innings.

"He got a beautiful stroke behind it," coach Mark McQueen said.

The Spiders' starting pitcher, junior Matt Zielinski, pitched well enough to get the win, holding The Gaels to four runs through five innings and striking out five. But the story on the mound was freshman Matt Zink, who pitched an impressive sixth inning, striking out two and forcing a ground out.

During the sixth inning, the Iona defense, which had been playing well to that point, fell apart. The Spiders scored eight runs on only two hits, aided by three Iona errors.

"I was glad to see our young guys contributing today," McQueen said. "It was good to be able to give them some playing time."

Out of the line-up was designated hitter Billy Barber. He was replaced by Richmond native and freshman Ryan Mallory, who drew three walks, had a hit and batted in a run.

The Spiders remain perfect this season, moving to 7-0 overall. The game Sunday was canceled because of rain.

Contact staff writer David Larter at david.larter@richmond.edu