Statesboro, Ga. -- Georgia Southern pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts and Brendan Gilligan posted two runs batted in to lead the Eagles past VMI 2-0 on Friday night at Clements Stadium.

Georgia Southern (17-9, 6-3 Southern Conference) scored a run in each of its first two innings. With one out, Gilligan smashed his second home run of the season to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead after one inning.

The Eagles scratched across its second run with two outs in the second. Adam DeLoach singled and moved to second when James Payne was drilled in the back with a pitch. Rocky Baker reached on an error to load the bases, and Gilligan coaxed a walk to put GSU up 2-0.

Dennis Dove upped his record to 5-1 on the year, going seven innings and striking out 10. Steve Cogswell struck out the side in the eighth, while Jason Cadenhead worked a perfect ninth to earn his third save of the season. VMI (9-14, 6-4 Southern Conference) Duke Acors (Richmond, Va. / Atlee) was charged with the loss, working six innings and allowing just one earned run.

Adam DeLoach led the Eagles with a 2-of-3 showing at the plate, while Stephens and Burnsed collected a base hit each. Justin Briggs (Rustburg, Va. / Rustburg), Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain) and Jon Wade (Marietta, Ga. / Harrison) tallied the three VMI hits.

"I thought that our guys pitched well," stated VMI head coach Tom Slater. "Duke Acors gave us a good start, and Jimmy Thoms had two strong innings in relief. Dennis Dove is an outstanding pitcher, and he did a great job against us tonight. It was just a really well-pitched game by two teams."

Georgia Southern and VMI continue the three-game set tomorrow at Clements Stadium. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.

Courtesy of the Georgia Southern Sports Information Department