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VMI Baseball's Tournament Run Comes to an End With a 10-1 Loss to UNC Greensboro

Charleston, SC - Freshman Chris Mason hurled a complete-game four hitter, and Jay Maule belted a home run as UNC Greensboro defeated VMI 10-1 in an elimination game of the Southern Conference Tournament Saturday at Riley Park.

UNCG advances to face Georgia Southern in the loser's bracket final tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The Spartans pounded out 15 hits, 11 of which came off VMI starter Jimmy Thoms (3-6). Kirk Strebin went four-of-five and drove in five runs, while Jason Sarvis, Justin Saltalamacchia, Ryan Gordon and Robbie Redic each had two hits to pace the UNCG attack.

It was the first complete game of the season for Mason (4-2), who struck out four and issued two walks.

“Obviously, we needed somebody to step up, and Chris certainly did that today,” said UNCG Head Coach Mike Gaski. “As a freshman he showed a lot of poise and confidence in a must-win situation for us. We definitely set the tone early by jumping out to a lead and I think that helped Chris settle down.”

UNCG sealed the win by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 9-0. Maule delivered the big hit, a three-run homer off Thoms that cleared the wall in right center. Strebin delivered an RBI single immediately prior to Maule's blast. Maule's homer plated Gordon in addition to Strebin. Gordon reached base with a single to right.

The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on a bases loaded single by Strebin that scored Allen Thomas and Saltalamacchia. Thomas and Saltalamacchia each had singles and Gordon drew a walk to set the stage for Strebin.

UNCG added three runs in the third to make the score 5-0. Saltalamachhia drove in Thomas and Sarvis with a single to left. Saltalamacchia scored later on Strebin's single to center.

VMI (24-28) scored its only run in the fifth when Andy Barden scored from third on a groundout by Ben Rand.

“We just ran into a really good UNCG team,” said VMI Head Coach Tom Slater. “They were good in just about every phase of the game. It was a well pitched game by Mason, and they had a good plan of attack at the plate.”

Slater was also named as the media's choice for SoCon Coach of the Year on Saturday. He was named by the coaches as the conference's coach of the year earlier in the week.

Strebin picked up his fifth RBI in the ninth when he beat out an infield hit, allowing Gordon to score from third. Gordon reached third by delivering a two-out triple to the gap in left center.

The loss marked the end of VMI's participation in the Southern Conference. The Keydets will join the Big South Conference for the start of the 2003-04 athletic year.

--SoCon--
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