Lexington, Va. -- The VMI Keydets used a four-run fourth inning on their way to a 6-1 win over the Davidson Wildcats at Patchin Field on Friday. The win was the first Southern Conference victory at home for the Keydets (3-7, 1-0) since May 12, 2001.

Davidson (3-4, 0-3) jumped on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning when Eli Benefield nailed a pitch from sophomore Duke Acors (Richmond, Va. / Atlee) over the left field wall, giving the Wildcats the early lead, 1-0.

VMI responded in the bottom of the third on a double to center field from sophomore Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge), bringing sophomore Jon Wade (Marrietta, Ga. / Harrison) in for a 1-1 tie.

The Keydets added to their advantage in the fourth when senior Jason Annis (Placentia, Calif. / Valencia) scored on an error from Davidson pitcher Andy Carter. Wade followed with a single to center field, bringing home freshman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain). Sophomore Chris Brooks (Shepherdstown, W.Va. / Jefferson) scored three batters later after two consecutive wild pitches from Carter. VMI tacked on their fourth run of the inning on an infield single from freshman Allan Wimmer (Vienna, Va. / James Madison), scoring Wade. The Keydets added their final run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a double to left field from Sweppenhiser, bringing Annis in to score.

On the mound, Acors (2-1) racked up nine strikeouts in seven innings pitched, giving up only four hits, to earn the win. Carter (1-2) was given the loss.

"Acors was the story today," noted VMI head coach Tom Slater. "He pitched extremely well. He's been doing that all season. It helps everyone to just relax and play when you are as dominant as he was today.

"Offensively, I think that we still need to have better quality at-bats with runners in scoring position, but we put 11 hits on the board today. That's not bad either."

VMI and Davidson will face each other again on Saturday. The opening pitch is set for 1 p.m.


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