Sluggers fall thrice in Spiders' claws

By BRAD YOUNG
Collegian Sports Writer

After his squad was beaten 4-2 and 7-1 in the first two contests of a three-game series at Richmond, Va., Baseball Coach Joe Hindelang hoped freshman fireballer Nate Bump would deliver a pitching performance that would salvage just one win in the set.

But the freshman would succumb to the pressures of his first college start, giving up six earned runs in less than two innings, as the Lions (0-3) fell 19-9. Bump was one of several Lion hurlers to fall into the Spiders' web of 30 hits and 30 runs in the three-game set.

"(Bump) had some velocity," Hindelang said. "He was just jittery and never got into a groove."

Like Bump never found his rhythm, his Lion teammates could not discover any luck at the plate. If they had, they may have been able to stay closer to the offense-laiden Spiders (3-0).

"We're pleased with the way we hit the ball this weekend," Hindelang said. "It was just a classic case of hitting the ball right at people."

Sophomore Matt Weimer was one of a few Lions to slow down the Richmond arsenal. He pitched game one of Saturday's twin bill and gave up just one earned run in four and one-third innings.

Lion pitchers also walked 18 Richmond batters in the series, not wise considering that the Spiders hit .312 last season.

"Basically, what killed us is some of the pitchers had control problems," Lion Assistant Coach Dave Hursh said after Saturday's games. "It's tough to defend against a walk, and we gave up a few of them."