RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — The Monmouth Hawks built an early lead and held off a late rally to defeat the Richmond Spiders 4-3 in the season opener for both teams Friday at Malcolm U. Pitt Field. Monmouth scored three runs in the third inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Mustaro and Buecker, to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Richmond chipped away with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, including an RBI single from Michael Elko, but could not complete the comeback. Monmouth’s Kevin Opanel earned the win on the mound. The Hawks outhit the Spiders 11 to 8. Richmond was projected as the favorite by national statistical models. The teams continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday.