Richmond first baseman Jim Fasano's three-run home run (4) in the bottom of the seventh inning broke a 3-3 tie and carried the Spiders over VMI 6-3 Wednesday afternoon at Pitts Field.

The Keydets (9-6) retired the first two batters in that fateful seventh inning before allowing a single and a walk to the next two hitters.

After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, last season's Atlantic 10 Player of the Year launched his game-deciding home run.

VMI got on the board first in the second inning, using singles from right fielder Elliott Erbe (Portsmouth, Va. / Western Branch) and second baseman B.T. Good (Vienna Va. / James Madison), a pass ball, a double steal and a Richmond error to go up 2-0.

The Spiders (6-2) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second when designated hitter Andy Sandstrom singled home left fielder Vince Riggi from second base, making the score 2-1.

Designated hitter Allan Wimmer's (Vienna, Va. / James Madison) two-out solo home run (2) in the top of the fifth inning increased the Keydets lead to 3-1.

Richmond, for the second time in the contest, answered back in its half of the inning, using a two-out rally to tie the game 3-3.

RHP Richard Litwin (Virginia Beach, Va. / Ocean Lakes) got the spot start for VMI and was sharp in his four innings of work, allowing two earned runs and striking out two.

RHP Tristen Covington (Virginia Beach, Va. / Salem) took the loss in relief for the Keydets - he falls to 1-1 on the year.

Wednesday's loss ended the Keydets six-game winning streak.

VMI will look to start a new winning streak on Friday when they host Norfolk State University at Patchin Field. First pitch is 2:00 p.m.