Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Bill Cullen's two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning gave VCU the lead for good, and Blake Hauser pitched the Rams out of trouble in the final two innings to help VCU hold off Norfolk State 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon at The Diamond.

The loss was the seventh in a row for the Spartans (1-7), four of which have come by a single run.  VCU improved to 5-4.

With the game tied 1-1 and the bases loaded in the sixth, Cullen flicked a single into shallow center field off NSU starter Ryan VanAssche, scoring Chris Ayers and Taylor Perkins to make it 3-1.

VCU added an insurance run in the seventh on Perkins' RBI groundout to make it 4-1.

But the Spartans didn't go away quietly. NSU scored twice in the eighth inning off the VCU bullpen. Walks to Chase Kyriacou and Mike Bruno and a single by Tyon Ore loaded the bases. Ross Cardwell drew another walk to force in Kyriacou from third, and Chris Warren singled in Bruno to make it 4-3. But Hauser came on to strike out Rafael Colon and James Essex with the bases still loaded to end the threat.

Hauser struck out the first two hitters he faced in the ninth inning, as well. But with two outs, James Taylor had his third hit of the day and stole second to put the potential tying run in scoring position. But Hauser induced a groundout from Bruno to end the game and earn his third save of the season.

Seth Cutler-Voltz (1-1) got the win for VCU, allowing seven hits and one run in seven innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

VanAssche dropped to 0-2 despite another solid outing. He allowed three runs and scattered nine hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out five.

Taylor led NSU with a 3-for-5 day, and he also stole two bases. Warren and Justin Lee added two hits each.

Joey Cujas went 3-for-5 for the Rams, while Cullen, Perkins and Vimael Macin added two apiece.

The Spartans return home to face Binghamton in a three-game series this Saturday and Sunday at Marty L. Miller Field.