Fleisher Ties School Record In Loss To VCU

RADFORD, Va.--Junior Mark Fleisher hit two home runs to tie the Radford single season mark, but it was not enough, as The Highlanders fell to Virginia Commonwealth 15-7 in non-conference baseball Wednesday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. (Box Score)

Fleisher tied the single-season school record for home runs at 16, equaling the mark set in 1996 by Kelly Dampeer. He was 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBI to lead RU. Fleisher (4-2), who started on the mound for RU, also took the loss, throwing 4 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and eight runs. VCU reliever Danny Watkins (1-0) earned the victory. He threw two complete innings, allowing one hit and two runs.

Despite banging out 15 hits, Radford never recovered from the Rams’ first inning, in which a grand slam to right field by left fielder Barrett Ripley put VCU in front 4-0. RU tried to counter in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases, but the Highs managed just one run when Fleisher singled home centerfielder Jesse Ross. The teams traded runs in the third inning, VCU scoring on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Joe Meador that plated catcher Pete Farina. Radford tallied its run in the bottom of the inning on Fleisher’s first dinger of the day, a solo shot to left field.

The Rams scored three runs in the top of the fifth, courtesy of back-to-back home runs. After Ripley doubled to left field, Meador homered to left, followed by a blast to centerfield by first baseman Dustin Sloan. VCU pushed its lead to 10-2 in the top of the sixth when third baseman Anthony Granato hit a single to score second baseman Scott Sizemore.

Radford turned on the rally in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs. Ross doubled down the left field line to score right fielder Matt Mantione. Left fielder Kellen Wohlford then singled up the middle to score Ross. Fleisher’s second home run of the day went over the scoreboard in left centerfield and scored Wohlford.

VCU responded in the top of the eighth with five runs to kill the Radford rally. Meador hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Granato. Right fielder Trai Harris hit a fielder’s choice that scored pinch runner Jon Link. Shortstop Matt Matheson then bunted Ripley home. Centerfielder Eric Latura followed with a single to right field that scored Matheson and Harris.

RU would add one final run in the ninth. Fleisher, who ripped a double to the left field fence, just shy of his third home run of the game, scored when catcher John Vellines singled to centerfield for the Highlander’s final run of the game.

Sizemore and Ripley led VCU, both posting 3-for-5 performances. Ripley collected four RBI, as did Meador.

Radford will close out the regular season with a key three-game Big South Conference series at home against Charleston Southern beginning Friday at 3:00 pm. VCU also closes out its regular season with a three-game CAA series at Delaware. The Rams begin play Friday at 3:00 pm.