RICHMOND, Va. - Paul Swack's ninth inning ground out drove in Matt Matheson and handed Virginia Commonwealth University (24-14, 9-3 CAA) a 5-4 victory over VMI baseball (20-20, 2-10 BSC) at The Diamond.

With score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Ram's first baseman Robbie Gragnani led off the inning with a single. Matt Matheson then came in as a pinch runner and was balked over to second base. Matheson moved over to third on a fielder's choice and subsequently scored on Swack's fielder's choice.

The Keydets opened the game by posting two unearned runs in the top of the first inning after third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain) doubled in centerfielder B.T. Good (Vienna, Va. / James Madison), who reached base on an error. Left fielder Jacoby Fields (Prince George, Va. / Prince George) followed with an RBI fielder's choice to set the score at 2-0.

The Rams came right back with three unearned runs in their half of the first as two singles, two errors and a fielder's choice RBI from left fielder Barrett Ripley put VCU on top 3-2.

VMI tied the score at 3-3 in the top of second inning when shortstop Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge) reached first on a fielder's choice and then during the next Keydet at-bat got deliberately caught in a run-down, lasting long enough to allow first baseman Jonathan Hadra (Richmond, Va. / Atlee) to sneak home from third base.

The Rams, however, plated another unearned run in the bottom of the third inning as third baseman Anthony Granato drove in second baseman Scott Sizemore, who singled and advance to second on a pass ball putting VCU back on top 4-3.

The Rams threatened in the seventh inning when right fielder Joe Meador double with one out, but VMI reliever J.J. Hollenbeck Vienna, Va. / James Madison) (0-2) came into the game and retired two straight batters to keep the Keydets within one run.

VMI then pushed across a run in the top of the eighth with a walk, an error and Sweppenhiser's second RBI in the game on a fielder's choice. The unearned run tied the contest at 4-4.

VMI starter Jimmy Thoms (Newport News, Va. / Denbigh) was charged with four unearned runs but no earned runs as he lasted 6.1 innings in the no decision. Hollenbeck suffered the loss.

VCU reliever Cla Meredith (3-3) was lights out for the Rams, striking out four batters and not allowing a hit as he earned the win.

Seven of the nine runs scored in the contest were unearned.

VMI returns home on Wednesday to face William and Mary for a make-up game. The first pitch is scheduled of 3:00 p.m.

-VMI-