RICHMOND, VA -- The University of Delaware baseball team built a six-run lead entering the bottom of the seventh inning, but the University of Richmond used clutch hitting and good fortune to come all the way back and earn their first win of the 2006 season, 10-9, in a non-conference game played Saturday afternoon at Richmond’s Pitt Field.

Freshman shortstop Victor Croglio highlighted the comeback for the Spiders (1-4) with a seventh inning grand slam to pull Richmond even. Leftfielder Andrew Justice doubled down the leftfield line with one out in the bottom of the eighth and, after advancing to third on a fly out to right field, scored the game-winning run on a passed ball by Delaware’s Bill Merkler.

The Blue Hens (1-1) built their lead by pounding Richmond starter Rob Berzinskas for seven earned runs in only 4.2 innings. In the second inning, Bryan Hagerich followed an Adam Tsakonas single with a home run to left field to give the Hens a 2-0 lead. Three batters later, freshman catcher Bill Merkler recorded a solo home run for his first collegiate hit to put the Hens up 3-0. Tsakonas came back strong with three hits on the day following an 0 for 5 opening day.

Tsakonas again scored the lead run on a home run in the fourth inning, this time a two-run shot by centerfielder Brandon Menchaca that put the Hens up 5-0. The Spiders scored twice in the bottom half of the inning to pull within 5-2. Menchaca (right) later worked a bases loaded walk to give him three RBI for the game.

The Hens scored twice in the top of the seventh to take a 9-3 lead before Richmond’s comeback in the bottom half. Sophomore pitcher Kevin Brown replaced Brent Gaphardt after Gaphardt walked the leadoff hitter. Brown faced only four batters, but hit all four, forcing in two runs and leaving the bases loaded. Matt Heppner was summoned from the bullpen, and Croglio, the first batter he faced, homered to centerfield to tie the game.

Junior co-captain Mitch Heckert started the game for Delaware, allowing two earned runs in 3.2 innings of work.

The two teams will wrap up the weekend series Sunday afternoon. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Pitt Field in Richmond.

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