RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — The Monmouth Hawks capitalized on early offense and survived a late rally to edge the Richmond Spiders 4-3 in the season opener for both teams Friday at Malcolm U. Pitt Field.

Monmouth seized control in the first inning against Richmond starter Jackson Hinchliffe. Leadoff hitter Saucke singled, was bunted to second by Hunt, and scored on an RBI single from Mustaro for a quick 1-0 lead.

The Hawks extended their advantage to 4-0 in the third. Saucke and Hunt again set the table with singles, and after a strikeout, Whitehill loaded the bases with a bunt single. Walsh drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Buecker followed with an RBI single. Richmond’s defense limited further damage by catching Buecker stealing second to end the inning.

Richmond starter Hinchliffe settled after the third, but the Spiders’ offense was stifled by Monmouth pitching and their own miscues, grounding into two double plays. The first, in the third inning, erased a leadoff single. The most costly came in the fifth. After an RBI single from Trevor Dosenbach scored Michael Elko to cut the deficit to 4-1, Richmond appeared poised for more with runners at second and third and one out. However, Haught’s fly ball to center resulted in a double play at the plate, with Recio thrown out trying to score.

The Spiders’ most significant rally came in the sixth inning against Monmouth reliever Kevin Opanel. RJ led off with a double, Winebrenner was hit by a pitch, and both moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Morris then delivered a sharp single to left-center, scoring RJ. Elko followed with an RBI single of his own, plating Winebrenner to pull Richmond within a run at 4-3. The Spiders had the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second with only one out, but Opanel induced two groundouts to escape the jam.

Monmouth added a critical insurance run in the top of the ninth. Saucke, who finished with four hits, doubled and stole third. After two strikeouts, Whitehill pushed a bunt single past the pitcher, allowing Saucke to score and restore a two-run cushion at 5-3.

That run proved decisive. In the bottom of the ninth, Richmond mounted a final threat. Pinch-hitter Evan Wilson singled with two outs, and pinch-runner Chris Schaller stole second to put the tying run in scoring position. However, Monmouth’s Opanel closed the door, getting Haught to ground out to shortstop to end the game.

The most important part of the game was Monmouth’s ability to repeatedly answer Richmond’s pushes. Each time the Spiders threatened to tie the game or take momentum—specifically after closing to 4-3 in the sixth—the Hawks’ offense or defense produced a key response. The sixth-inning escape by Opanel preserved the lead, and the ninth-inning manufactured run provided the necessary buffer to withstand Richmond’s last-ditch effort.

Monmouth’s offense produced 11 hits, aided by two sacrifice hits. Richmond collected eight hits but was hampered by its two double plays. Opanel earned the win in relief for Monmouth, which opens the season 1-0. Richmond falls to 0-1. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday to continue the series.

The result was an upset according to Interstat’s ELO system, which had projected Richmond with a 60.6 percent probability to win.