RICHMOND, Va. — Nine unanswered runs scored by VCU over the second and third innings helped avenge a five-run deficit and lift the host Rams to a 14-9 victory in a slugfest over the Cornell baseball team on Friday afternoon at The Diamond.

VCU scored all 14 of its runs in a quartet of multi-run innings while improving its record to 4-10 on the year.

Along with the combined 23 runs scored, the two teams registered 29 hits and left 26 runners on base.

Cooper Benzin and Jake Thilges each drove in four RBI on the day for the Rams, while Nic Ericsson had a career day going 4-for-4 at the dish.

Campbell Ellis earned the victory after pitching 4.1 innings of relief for starter Justin Humenay, who was chased after two innings of work after Cornell forced the right-hander to throw 81 pitches.

The Cornellian sophomore duo of Max Jensen and John Quinlan, and senior outfielder Wils Guy, all registered two RBI apiece on the day. Freshmen TJ Swidorski and Caden Wildman also drove in one run for the Big Red (0-7).

Freshman left-hander Noah Keller started for Cornell and was saddled the loss after allowing six runs on four hits over two-plus innings. Keller walked four and struck out a season-high five batters.

Cornell frustrated Humenay during his two-inning start as the Big Red drew five free passes, four of which came in a three-run second inning.

A pair of RBI singles by Jensen and Musser put Cornell ahead 2-0 in the first before another RBI single by Jensen, a bases-loaded walk by Swidorski, and an RBI ground out by Musser in the second gave the Big Red a 5-0 lead.

VCU plated its nine unanswered runs over the second and third innings to give the Rams a 9-5 lead.

Matt Barnhorst scored on an errant throw by VCU's catcher on a Big Red double steal attempt, allowing the junior to score and trim the Rams' lead to 9-6 in the fifth.

A two-RBI single and another RBI single in the home-half of the fifth further extended VCU's lead before a pair of insurance markers were tacked on in the eighth.

Cornell scored three runs in an attempt to spark a ninth-inning comeback. Freshman Caden Wildman logged a pinch-hit RBI double to plate Barnhorst, who led the inning off with another double. Guy added a two-run single through the right side of the infield with two outs to cut the Big Red's deficit.

Game Notes

• Cornell and VCU were meeting for the fifth time in program history. The Rams improved to 5-0 all-time over the Big Red with Friday's win.

• The nine runs and 14 hits were season highs for the Big Red. It was the most runs scored in a game since registering 10 against Binghamton on May 5, 2022, and the 14 hits were the most since also having a 14-hit day against Coppin State on March 5, 2022.

• Jensen has now reached base in all seven games to start the season. Guy and Jensen both recorded their seventh multi-RBI game of their collegiate careers.

• Musser's two RBI marked his first multi-RBI game of his collegiate career.

• Wildman collected his first collegiate hit and RBI with his pinch-hit RBI double in the ninth.

• Freshman right-handed pitcher Josh Shea made his collegiate debut, pitching to the first four batters of the eighth, but failed to record an out.

• Junior right-handed pitcher William Stephens made his season debut, walking two batters and striking out one in an inning of work.

Looking Ahead

Cornell and VCU will continue its three-game series at The Diamond on Saturday. First pitch between the two teams is slated for 2 p.m. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Freshman right-hander Ethan Hamill (0-2, 9.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cornell, while left-hander Christian Gordon (2-1, 2.00 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Rams.