Lexington, Va. -- The VMI Keydets used a strong pitching performance from sophomore Duke Acors (Richmond, Va. / Atlee) to topple the College of Charleston Cougars, 5-3, on Monday at Patchin Field.
The Cougars (28-24, 15-12 SoCon) jumped on top in the top of the first on consecutive doubles from seniors Brett Spivey and Lee Curtis to take a 1-0 advantage.
VMI (21-24, 15-12 SoCon) responded in the bottom of the inning with a double to right-center field from senior Justin Briggs (Rustburg, Va. / Rustburg), scoring freshman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain) to tie the game at 1-1. The Keydets took the lead in the second inning on a solo homer to right field from senior Andy Barden (Chesterfield, Va. / Manchester) for a 2-1 lead.
Acors and College of Charleston pitcher Sean Oliver allowed no more runs to come across until VMI scored two in the bottom of the seventh. The first came on a single to center field from Briggs to score senior Ben Rand (South Boston, Va. / VCU). The Keydets added their second run of the inning on a double to left-center field from sophomore Elliott Erbe (Portsmouth, Va. / Western Branch) to bring freshman Allan Wimmer (Vienna, Va. / James Madison) home for a 4-1 lead.
The Cougars narrowed the gap to 4-3 in the top of the eighth inning when junior Victor Martinez singled to center field, scoring Adam Tolman and Matt Hallett.
VMI added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Sweppenhiser to score senior Jason Annis (Placentia, Calif. / Valencia). From there, freshman J.J. Hollenbeck (Vienna, Va. / James Madison) closed the door, striking out the final two batters, to record his third save of the season.
On the mound, Acors allowed three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts to get the win. Oliver was given the loss.
"Duke Acors had an outstanding pitching performance once again," stated VMI head coach Tom Slater. "Jeff DeMara and J.J. Hollenbeck gave a couple of good innings to finish the game out. We did a great job of manufacturing runs throughout the day. It's a good win for our guys, especially with it being senior day."
VMI will next battle The Citadel next Saturday in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. College of Charleston will host Western Carolina on Friday in a 6 p.m. contest.
