PHILADELHPIA – The Richmond Spiders scored four runs in the 7^th inning to erase a 3-1 La Salle lead and take the opening game of the series 5-3 on Friday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field.
 
Collin McGowan and Josh Savakinus both finished 2-for-4 and drove in runs for the Explorers, who scored twice in the 5^th and once more in the 6^th to take the lead.
 
Trailing by two, Richmond loaded the bases with no outs in the 7^th thanks to two singles and La Salle fielding error. Daniel Brumbaugh tied the game with a two-run single to center before Tyler Beckwith made it 5-3 with a triple to left center.
 
Richmond starter Ryan Cook (W, 6-2) struck out a career-high 11 batters while allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings. Relievers James Lively, Keenan Bartlett and Ray Harron (S, 5) combined to throw three perfect innings to seal the victory for the Spiders.
 
La Salle starter Joey Ravert (L, 4-4) was charged with four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.
 
After Richmond took a 1-0 lead in the 4th, La Salle answered with two runs in the 5^th. McGowan singled to left to score Ethan Springtson from second to tie the game and Cameron Johnson gave the Blue and Gold the lead with a double to score McGowan.
 
Savakinus extended the lead to 3-1 with an RBI double to right center in the 6^th.
 
The Explorers will look to even the series on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.