PHILADELPHIA - Off the bench, Jon Gyles knocked in three runs in the final two innings, including a bases loaded RBI single in the 10th inning to lift La Salle Baseball to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Richmond on Saturday in Atlantic 10 action at Hank DeVincent Field.
It was a pair of Explorers who came in off the pine, which sparked the Explorers rally, as Jim Tarabocchia went 2-for-2 with a run scored and Gyles finished the day 2-for-3.
Leading 4-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Richmond called in their fifth-year senior closer Brian Alas, who had eight saves this season, and a school record 26 in his career, to finish off the Spiders 2009 campaign.
However, TJ Chism greeted him with a single to center, followed by a Tarabocchia double and a Gyles two-RBI bloop single down the right field line, to pull the Explorers to within one.
One out later and a man on first, Zack Feierstein hit a grounder to third - which could have been an inning-ending double play - but Cameron Brown was unable to come up with the ball and that put runners on the corners.
In stepped Brian Meagher, who - for those La Salle fans who don't remember - had a pair of walk-off hits in a doubleheader sweep of Saint Joseph's to end the 2008 season.
This time, the junior walked to load the bases. Tony Negrin, who had a team-high three hits in the game, legged out another possible double play ball which tied the game at four and hand Alas only his second career blown save.
In the 10th, Richmond had runners at first and second with one out, but Chism, who was in his second inning in relief, got a double play ball, which the infield was able to turn to end the threat.
John Malloy singled to lead-off the bottom of the frame - his only hit of the day which tied him with Barry Petrachenko (1985-88) for the most hits by an Explorer before a senior season with 201.
He stole second, which prompted the Spiders to intentionally walk Chism. Tarabocchia was unable to put down a sacrifice bunt, but with a two-strike count, laced a single into center to load the bases.
Gyles now stepped to the plate and wasted no time in sending the Explorers home for the summer with a victory, hitting a single into left field, which landed on the line, plating Malloy with the game-winner.
Richmond (22-25, 11-16 A-10) jumped out to its three-run lead with single runs in the first - a Billy Barber RBI double; the second - a Victor Croglio RBI single; the third - a Brown solo home run; and the seventh - an RBI single by Adam McConnell.
La Salle (19-30, 8-18 A-10) tied the game in the first when Chism knocked in his 50th run of the season which scored Negrin.
Over the next seven frames, Richmond would hold the Explorers scoreless, despite six hits, six walks, and three hit batters which resulted in 13 left on base, including the bases loaded in the sixth and eighth.
Chism picks up his first win of the season after his two innings of scoreless relief innings. He took over for Dennis Burge (2.0 IP/2H/1ER/2K), who replaced starter Sean Kennedy (6.0IP/7H/3ER). Jay Joines suffered the loss for the Spiders.
The ending to the Explorers day was memorable, as was the beginning, click here for more information.
