RICHMOND, Va. (February 27, 2021) – After giving up five runs in the first inning, Saturday's game started bleak for Mount St. Mary's baseball. But the Mount stormed back to take the lead into the bottom of the ninth before Richmond retaliated, scoring three runs to win.

The Mount (0-3) scored eight runs off 11 hits, with Vaughn Parker II and Thomas Savastio recording three hits each. Savastio was also the team leader in RBI's, driving in two runs. Outfielder Ryan Fisher also had a multi-hit effort and scored three times.

On the mound, Michael Yetter overcame a rough beginning to put up two scoreless innings. His two successors – Blake Midkiff and Bryant Shives – both posted scoreless outings as well.

Drew Blakely went 3-for-5 for Richmond (3-0) with two RBI's and Richie Ciufo went 2-for-3 with three runs driven in.

Three RBI singles drove in five runs for the Spiders for a comfortable advantage after the first inning. The Mount was held without a hit until the fourth, when Fisher led off with a double. Parker brought him home with a single for the visitors' first run. AJ Holcomb reached on an error later in the inning, allowing Savastio to score.

Richmond added a run in the fourth, and the offenses were quiet until the sixth when the Mount rallied. 11 batters came to the plate, scoring five runs on three hits. Freshman Shane Wockley got his first career RBI on a bases loaded walk, and Brady Drawbaugh kept the rally going with an infield single to score Ryan Haddaway. Two hit-by-pitches with the bases loaded gave the Mountaineers a 7-6 lead.

Savastio registered an RBI single to score Fisher for an insurance run and the Mount took a two-run advantage to the bottom of the ninth.

Three outs from victory, two Spiders were walked to open the frame. After a sacrifice bunt, a two-run single eliminated the Mount's lead and tied the game. Another RBI single by Ciufo sealed the contest for the Spiders two batters later.

The series finale is set for noon Sunday (Feb. 28).