DAVIDSON, N.C. – After watching a long-time one-run lead slip away in the eighth inning, seventh-seeded Richmond (27-25, 11-13 A-10) shrugged off the setback before registering a trio of runs to close out the frame, ensuring an eventual 4-1 Spider victory over No. 4 overall Rhode Island in Wednesday evening's first elimination game of the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship at Wilson Field.

With the victory, the Spiders advance to Thursday's mid-afternoon quarterfinal within in the consolation bracket, taking on fifth-seeded George Mason in a second-consecutive elimination clash. The contest will be broadcast live via ESPN+.

Following a nil-nil deadlock across the opening three frames, Richmond proved up to the task of breaking the initial tie; after an Alden Mathes single and Dominic Toso fielder's choice turned error set up the Spiders with a runner in scoring position, Johnny Hipsman hit pay dirt behind a quick-moving grounder just past the second baseman, pushing UR to an early 1-0 edge.

The one-run advantage held up until the eighth inning of play, as a pair of leadoff walks and a wild pitch positioned Rhody in a threatening spot. The Rams, however, only managed to plate a single run in spite of a bases-loaded opportunity, recording the tying score on an RBI hit-by-pitch.

A Zach Lass double to launch the bottom of the frame trailed by back-to-back reaches on fielder's choices put UR in an advantageous position, as Mathes' ensuing single through the right side contributed a pair of go-ahead runs before a Toso groundout into a double play logged another.

Rhode Island generated a serious offensive threat to wrap up the ninth, loading the bases with two outs before an Eric Genther fly ball officially end the matchup.

On the bump, Richmond starter Jeremy Neff compiled a brilliant effort as he powered through 7.0 complete innings with just one run allowed on three total hits, striking out a notable 10 batters along the way. Mathes (W, 3-2), who served as an outfielder until the switch, picked up the win on just 2.0 frames of work with one hit given up along with a pair of strikeouts.